Autism Research Institute

The Autism Research Institute was established by Dr. Bernard Rimland in 1967. Dr. Rimland is the author of the groundbreaking book Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior which dispelled the myth of the "refrigerator mother."

Before researchers like Dr. Rimland, most believed that autism was an emotional disorder caused by a cold and distant relationship between mother and child. Now we know that autism is fundamentally a neurological brain disorder because of such pioneers as Dr. Rimland and through research developed on sites like the Autism Research Institute.

The Autism Research Institute is dedicated to continuing its research into the field of autism with the conviction that autistic disorder is treatable with the appropriate interventions. The headquarters is located in San Diego but the organization is responsible to gathering data about current autism research and extending it to professionals and families touched by autistic disorder.