Autism Research Institute
Encyclopedia
The Autism Research Institute (ARI), established in 1967 by Bernard Rimland
, is a San Diego, California
, based nonprofit that funds research and provides information on autism
and autism spectrum
disorders. Stephen M. Edelson became the director of ARI upon Rimland's death in 2006.
ARI holds to the medically-discredited belief that autism is partially caused by vaccinations
; it also suggests chelation therapy
, a treatment which is dangerous enough to have caused multiple deaths and has never been shown to have any impact on autism.
In addition to these psuedoscientific
positions, they hold that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive behavior modification
, such as Applied Behavior Analysis
, and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, including the use of drugs, dietary supplement
s, and special diets. To this end, they sponsored a yearly conference of researchers, scientists, and physicians, which was known as Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!).
The premise for biomedical intervention is that certain neurological disorders, including autism, might be caused by environmental triggers that compromise the gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems. Gastrointestinal, in that they tend toward constipation and/or diarrhea and often have abnormal cravings or abhorrence for certain kinds of food; immunological, in that many have poor regulation of the immune system, many have decreased ability to fight infectious diseases, and some are prone to allergies; and neurological, in that they are consistently hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory impressions. Proponents of biomedical intervention claim that children with autism generally improve in all three systems with an adapted or 'special' diet, or with the addition to their diet of certain dietary supplements, nutrients, and enzyme supplements. Based on this premise, what is often diagnosed as autism or PDD
is seen as a physiological
syndrome involving many parts of the body that could be treated as a physiological disorder.
Research into immune abnormalities in autism began in the 1980s and has been continued by more recent research demonstrating a dysregulated innate immune response in some children with autism, amid increasing speculation that immune inflammatory responses may be involved in the etiology of autism. This led to the development of an Autism Biomedical movement that developed from the 1990s and focussed on Conferences such as Montreal’s 2nd Annual Medical Conference on Autism which brought together immunologists, dieticians and DAN doctors amid a surge of interest in dietary models of treatment stimulated via internet chat groups, autism support groups and conferences.
Some researchers and advocates of biomedical therapies in autism have children with autism of their own and have been driven by their own experiences; these include Bernard Rimland
. Rimland, a psychologist and parent of an son with autism, speculated that his son's autism
was the result of the DPT vaccine
, a discredited idea.
He experimented with eliminating certain kinds of food and says that by eliminating casein
and gluten
from his son's diet, autistic symptoms were reduced. Studies supporting dietary claims for autism treatment have had significant flaws, so the data are inadequate to guide treatment recommendations. A study by the University of Rochester found "eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns".
Bernard Rimland
Bernard Rimland, PhD was an American research psychologist, writer, lecturer, and advocate for autistic children, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental retardation.Based in San Diego, California since 1940, Dr...
, is a San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, based nonprofit that funds research and provides information on autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
and autism spectrum
Autism spectrum
The term "autism spectrum" is often used to describe disorders that are currently classified as pervasive developmental disorders. Pervasive developmental disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise...
disorders. Stephen M. Edelson became the director of ARI upon Rimland's death in 2006.
ARI holds to the medically-discredited belief that autism is partially caused by vaccinations
MMR vaccine controversy
The MMR vaccine controversy was a case of scientific misconduct which triggered a health scare. It followed the publication in 1998 of a paper in the medical journal The Lancet which presented apparent evidence that autism spectrum disorders could be caused by the MMR vaccine, an immunization...
; it also suggests chelation therapy
Chelation therapy
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication—those involving lead, arsenic or mercury—the standard of care in the United States dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid...
, a treatment which is dangerous enough to have caused multiple deaths and has never been shown to have any impact on autism.
In addition to these psuedoscientific
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
positions, they hold that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive behavior modification
Behavior modification
Behavior modification is the use of empirically demonstrated behavior change techniques to increase or decrease the frequency of behaviors, such as altering an individual's behaviors and reactions to stimuli through positive and negative reinforcement of adaptive behavior and/or the reduction of...
, such as Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
, and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, including the use of drugs, dietary supplement
Dietary supplement
A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to supplement the diet and provide nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, that may be missing or may not be consumed in sufficient quantities in a person's diet...
s, and special diets. To this end, they sponsored a yearly conference of researchers, scientists, and physicians, which was known as Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!).
Biomedical interventions
In 1995, the Autism Research Institute brought together a group of about 30 physicians and scientists to share information and ideas toward defeating autism as quickly as possible. This became known as Defeat Autism Now! which comprises a network of doctors whose stated goal is to educate parents and clinicians about biomedically-based research, appropriate testing, and a variety of interventions for autism.The premise for biomedical intervention is that certain neurological disorders, including autism, might be caused by environmental triggers that compromise the gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems. Gastrointestinal, in that they tend toward constipation and/or diarrhea and often have abnormal cravings or abhorrence for certain kinds of food; immunological, in that many have poor regulation of the immune system, many have decreased ability to fight infectious diseases, and some are prone to allergies; and neurological, in that they are consistently hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory impressions. Proponents of biomedical intervention claim that children with autism generally improve in all three systems with an adapted or 'special' diet, or with the addition to their diet of certain dietary supplements, nutrients, and enzyme supplements. Based on this premise, what is often diagnosed as autism or PDD
Pervasive developmental disorder
Pervasive developmental disorders is a diagnostic category refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays or impairments in communication, social behaviors, and cognitive development.Pervasive developmental disorders include Autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett's syndrome, Childhood...
is seen as a physiological
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
syndrome involving many parts of the body that could be treated as a physiological disorder.
Research into immune abnormalities in autism began in the 1980s and has been continued by more recent research demonstrating a dysregulated innate immune response in some children with autism, amid increasing speculation that immune inflammatory responses may be involved in the etiology of autism. This led to the development of an Autism Biomedical movement that developed from the 1990s and focussed on Conferences such as Montreal’s 2nd Annual Medical Conference on Autism which brought together immunologists, dieticians and DAN doctors amid a surge of interest in dietary models of treatment stimulated via internet chat groups, autism support groups and conferences.
Some researchers and advocates of biomedical therapies in autism have children with autism of their own and have been driven by their own experiences; these include Bernard Rimland
Bernard Rimland
Bernard Rimland, PhD was an American research psychologist, writer, lecturer, and advocate for autistic children, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental retardation.Based in San Diego, California since 1940, Dr...
. Rimland, a psychologist and parent of an son with autism, speculated that his son's autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
was the result of the DPT vaccine
DPT vaccine
DPT refers to a class of combination vaccines against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus...
, a discredited idea.
He experimented with eliminating certain kinds of food and says that by eliminating casein
Casein
Casein is the name for a family of related phosphoprotein proteins . These proteins are commonly found in mammalian milk, making up 80% of the proteins in cow milk and between 60% and 65% of the proteins in human milk....
and gluten
Gluten
Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye...
from his son's diet, autistic symptoms were reduced. Studies supporting dietary claims for autism treatment have had significant flaws, so the data are inadequate to guide treatment recommendations. A study by the University of Rochester found "eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns".
See also
- Autism Society of AmericaAutism Society of AmericaThe Autism Society of America was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland, PhD, together with Ruth C. Sullivan and a small group of other parents of autistic children. Its original name was the National Society for Autistic Children; the name was changed to emphasize that children with autism grow up...
- Autism therapiesAutism therapiesAutism therapies attempt to lessen the deficits and abnormal behaviours associated with autism and other autism spectrum disorders , and to increase the quality of life and functional independence of autistic individuals, especially children. Treatment is typically tailored to the child's needs...
- Interactive Autism NetworkInteractive Autism NetworkInteractive Autism Network is a research registry which matches researchers and their studies to families who qualify to participate the research. Furthermore, IAN facilitates ongoing research in autism spectrum disorders . The goal is to accomplish research that advances understanding and...