A note from Steve Edelson about Dr. Rimland and the future of ARI

[Guest guest]

Dear ARI Friends and Supporters,

It has been three weeks since Dr. Rimland's passing. Obituaries

in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Time Magazine

and many other publications have described his tireless,

groundbreaking work, which spanned almost a half century. In

addition, parents and professionals from around the world have

shared some amazing personal tributes to Dr. Rimland on

Autism Research Institute's (ARI) website

(www.AutismResearchInstitute.com). If you have a chance, I

invite you to read these tributes and, if you feel compelled, add

one of your own. Next month, we will print and hard-bind these

heartfelt messages and keep a copy in ARI's permanent book

collection and also present this book of gratitude to Dr.

Rimland's wife, Gloria, and their three children, Mark, Helen

and .

As you might imagine, the past few weeks have been difficult

for all of us at ARI. I was friends with Dr. Rimland for 30 years,

and I worked closely with him for the past 20 years. As Dr.

Rimland's affliction progressed we spent time together every

day, much of it talking about the future course of the Autism

Research Institute.

Now, as the director of ARI, my mission is to follow Dr.

Rimland's lead in quickly moving the field of autism research

and treatment as far forward as possible. Dr. Rimland was

extremely gratified to see so many children improve and at

times recover because of the therapies which developed through

his efforts. ARI will continue this momentum and find as many

modalities as possible to help as many children as we can to

truly defeat this disorder.

ARI will continue to fund, as Dr. Rimland would say, " research

that makes a difference. " By the end of the year we will have

funded over half a million dollars in research that evaluates

current treatment therapies and develops new ones. We will also

continue to sponsor two or more annual think-tanks to gather

the leaders in autism research and foster the rapid development

and dissemination of scientifically-based, effective treatments.

In addition, we are making a concerted effort to reach out to

regions throughout the U.S., and to other countries worldwide,

to spread the word that " autism is treatable. "

Moving forward ARI's Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) program

will continue to be a top priority. The DAN! Executive

Advisory Committee will meet in the next couple of months to

chart the course of DAN! for 2007 and beyond. Our plan is to

continue, and greatly expand, the DAN! research and treatment

revolution that Dr. Rimland began with Drs. Baker and

Pangborn in 1995.

Over the years, Dr. Rimland would often tell me that he would

never die. He was right – his thoughts, his beliefs, his spirit

and his passion to help the greatest number of children will

live on. We will all make sure of that.

Some of you may not know my professional history dedicated

to autism research and treatment. I have even heard of a few

parents who confused me with a medical doctor who shares my

name. That said, I have published a biographical link for those

who wish to know more about me.

[http://www.AutismWebsite.com/SteveEdelson_PhD.pdf]

I greatly appreciate all of your support in helping me continue

Dr. Rimland's mission.

Best Regards,

Steve Edelson, Ph.D.

Director, Autism Research Institute

4182 Avenue

San Diego, CA 92116

USA

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The Autism Research Institute is a non-profit 501©3 organization.

ARI depends upon donations for its support. If you would like to

support ARI, you may make a donation using a check, money order,

or credit card. You can make a credit card donation on our

website using our secure server (www.AutismResearchInstitute.com).

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