About ARI and Defeat Autism Now!

1. What does ARI do? Can I bring my child to you?

ARI is a non-profit research, resource, and referral organization that conducts and funds research that makes a difference in finding the causes and developing safe, effective treatments for autism. We do not see patients. For more information, see: Funding "Research that Makes a Difference" since 1967.

2. What is Defeat Autism Now! ?

Since 1995, ARI has convened recurring meetings for carefully selected physicians, researchers, and scientists committed to finding effective treatments for autism. Their work has become known as Defeat Autism Now! .

Getting ready for your child's first appointment with a clinician using a Defeat Autism Now! Approach – by Dawn Rossi
Abbreviations and Acronyms

3. Where can I find a clinician using the Defeat Autism Now! approach?

For a list of practitioners providing research-based treatments, see: Practitioner List

4. When and where is the next Defeat Autism Now! Conference?

See www.DefeatAutismNow.com for the latest information on upcoming conference dates, locations, speakers, and registration details.

5. What are the requirements for clinicians using a Defeat Autism Now! approach?

There are requirements for inclusion on the lists of Defeat Autism Now! practitioners. ARI does not "certify" practitioners or guarantee competence, skill, knowledge, or experience.

We strongly recommend that if you are seeking a practitioner to help with your child's biomedical needs you interview the practitioner of your choosing to ensure that they are well-versed and experienced in the various aspects of the biomedical approach. View a sampling of recommended questions.

6. What do the many different initials/degrees mean after a doctor's name on your list?

See our glossary of professional acronyms and abbreviations.

7. What percentage of my donation goes directly to research?

More than 80 cents per dollar donated to ARI go directly to programs and research projects. See Charity Navigator's Evaluation of The Autism Research Institute.

For more information about ARI's current research funding, see: Funding "Research that Makes a Difference" since 1967. ARI dedicates 90 percent of its research dollars to projects aimed at:

Assessing effectiveness of existing treatments
Identifying and evaluating emerging treatments
Developing new treatments

8. Why doesn't my regular pediatrician, MD, or autism center know about the Defeat Autism Now! approach?

9. How has Defeat Autism Now! changed over the last five years? We are interested in trying again now that our child is older – should we?

Clinicians and their patients have collectively learned a tremendous amount about combating autism over the last five years – individualized treatments using new diets, medications and therapies are emerging every year. If your child did not respond to the treatments that were available years ago as a 4-year-old, that does not mean he or she will not respond today – the combination of maturing physical development and new strategies may present new possibilities. New approaches are always on the horizon.

10. Is there more than one Dr. Stephen Edelson working in the autism field?

Yes - there are actually two Dr. Stephen Edelsons who are active in the autism field. The two Edelsons are not related to one other.

Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D. is an experimental psychologist, and he is the director of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego, California. His primary focus is on research. His mentors were Drs. Bernard Rimland and Ivar Lovaas.

Stephen B. Edelson, M.D. is a retired medical doctor who practiced in Atlanta, Georgia.

11. How do I make a donation in honor or in memory of someone? How is the donation acknowledged?

Submit the donation online, using our secure server (please be sure to include "honor" or "memory" of in the space provided). Donors receive a receipt for tax purposes and honorees receive acknowledgement of the gift submitted on their behalf. Prospective donors may make a donation in another's honor or memory

Other options:

Send the donation along with a brief explanation and contact information of the person you are honoring or who should receive the acknowledgement, for memorial donations directly to ARI at:
        ARI
        4182 Adams Ave.
        San Diego, CA 92116
Fax the above information along with payment details to: 619-563-6840
Call the ARI office at 619-281-7165 to give the information to a representative over the phone.