ARAPI - French Association for Autism Research

What ARAPI - French Association for Autism Research does

ARAPI (Association pour la Recherche sur l'Autisme et la Prévention des Inadaptations) is a French non-profit association (Association loi 1901) founded in 1983, headquartered at 1 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 37230 Fondettes, France. Its stated mission is to promote research on autism and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and to disseminate scientifically validated information to affected persons, families, researchers, and professionals. The association operates a small secretariat of approximately 7 staff alongside elected Bureau, Board of Directors (Conseil d'Administration), and Scientific Committee (Comité Scientifique) members, with leadership including President Séverine Recordon-Gaboriaud and Honorary President Pr. Catherine Barthélémy. ARAPI is a founding member of the GIS Autisme et TND consortium, which federates 123+ labeled French research teams, and is the recurring scientific partner of national autism-sector events.

The association's core deliverables consist of annual scientific events — primarily the week-long Université d'Automne held at Domaine de Port aux Rocs (Le Croisic), regional scientific days in cities such as Marseille and Brest, and national webinars (e.g., with CeAND, GNCRA, Centre iMIND) — together with periodic publications including the Bulletin Scientifique and Lettre de l'Arapi, and curated documentary resources. It holds Datadock 'référençable' status as a training organization, allowing OPCO-funded training reimbursement for Université d'Automne participants. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues (€42 regular / €20 student for 2027), event registration fees, donations processed via the Hello Asso platform, and subscription or individual purchase of scientific bulletins.

Distribution is conducted nationally through a WordPress-based website (arapi-autisme.fr), email campaigns via MailChimp, community and regional stands, and partnerships with organizations such as Autisme France, APAJH86, ADAPEI d'Indre-et-Loire, CREAI PACA et Corse, and APAR Autisme. There is no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or AI/ML component disclosed; the operating stack is limited to standard web hosting (o2switch), payment (Hello Asso), and email (MailChimp) tooling. ARAPI does not pursue acquisitions, equity funding, or commercial product expansion, consistent with its non-profit membership-governed structure.

Name

ARAPI - French Association for Autism Research

Legal name

ARAPI – Association pour la Recherche sur l'Autisme et la Prévention des Inadaptations

Website

https://arapi-autisme.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARAPI is a French non-profit association founded in 1983 that promotes autism and neurodevelopmental disorder research and disseminates scientifically validated information to affected individuals, families, researchers, and professionals through events, publications, and webinars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Research Association

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG)

Keywords

• Autism research
• Scientific publications
• Research conferences
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Community advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Fondettes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide recurring revenue. As of 2026, fees increased to €42 for regular members and €20 for students for the year 2027.
2. Donations: Donations collected through Hello Asso platform for supporting autism research.
3. Event Registration Fees: Fees collected for participation in the Université d'Automne (Autumn University) and other scientific events, including accommodation and conference attendance at Port aux Rocs venue.
4. Publications Sales: Sale of scientific bulletins and letters of ARAPI through subscription or individual purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ARAPI is a French non-profit association (Association loi 1901) that promotes research on autism and neurodevelopmental disorders and disseminates scientifically validated information. It offers membership services, organizes the annual Université d'Automne conference and regional scientific days, produces webinars, and publishes scientific bulletins and a regular newsletter. The association serves as a community bridge connecting autistic individuals, families, researchers, and professionals.

Product overview

ARAPI is a non-profit association (Loi 1901) founded in 1983, composed of parents and professionals, whose mission is to promote research on autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, and to disseminate scientific information. The organization operates a membership-based model offering publications (Bulletin Scientifique, Lettre de l'Arapi), educational events (Université d'Automne, Webinars, Regional Days), and documentary resources. These offerings are delivered through a WordPress-based website with Hello Asso for membership/payments and MailChimp for communications. ARAPI also maintains a dedicated registration site (formations-ua.arapi-autisme.fr) for its Université d'Automne events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Université d'Automne (Autumn University): Annual scientific event bringing together researchers, professionals, families, and autistic individuals around autism and neurodevelopmental disorder research topics.

Products and services

• Universit\u00e9 d'Automne (Autumn University) Annual week-long scientific event organized by ARAPI bringing together researchers, professionals, families, and autistic individuals around autism and neurodevelopmental disorder research themes; held at Domaine de Port aux Rocs (Le Croisic) with conference and accommodation packages.
• Bulletin Scientifique (Scientific Bulletin) Periodic scientific publication of ARAPI summarizing conference proceedings, posters, and workshop content from association events; available through subscription or individual purchase and distributed to members.
• Lettre de l'Arapi (ARAPI Newsletter) Regular newsletter from ARAPI providing updates on association activities, research news, and upcoming events; distributed to members with active membership.
• Webinaires (Webinars) Online seminars organized by ARAPI featuring expert presentations on autism research, clinical practices, and neurodevelopmental disorders; available to members and the broader audience via the website and YouTube.
• Journ\u00e9es R\u00e9gionales (Regional Days) Regional scientific conferences organized by ARAPI in partnership with local institutions in cities such as Marseille and Brest, covering specific autism-related themes for local researchers, professionals, and families.
• Ressources Documentaires (Documentary Resources) Reference documents and scientific resources on autism and neurodevelopmental disorders curated by ARAPI and accessible via the association website for professionals, families, and affected persons.
• ARAPI Membership Annual membership of ARAPI providing access to scientific bulletins, the ARAPI newsletter, member rates for events including the Université d'Automne, and participation in the association's community; processed through the Hello Asso platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• +40% annual publications on TND since 2017

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CeAND et GNCRAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2026National partners for the July 9, 2026 national webinar on autism, demonstrating ARAPI's role in coordinating national autism awareness and research dissemination events.
• Centre iMIND (CHU Le Vinatier, Lyon)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026ARAPI partnered with the iMIND centre to co-organize a webinar on autism in adulthood, featuring distinguished speakers including Danièle Langloys (Autisme France president) and Pr. Anouck Amestoy.
• APAJH 86coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024ARAPI continued as scientific partner for the 2nd APAJH 86 Colloquium in May 2024 on 'L'autisme au quotidien: Comprendre et Agir'.
• CREAI PACA et CorseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2023Regional partner for the 14th ARAPI Regional Day held in Marseille in June 2023, collaborating on scientific programming for professionals.
• APAR AutismeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2023Regional autism association partner for the Marseille Regional Day, contributing to the collaborative approach in organizing scientific events.
• APAJH 86coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2022ARAPI is a scientific partner for APAJH 86's major biennial conferences, including the 2022 conference 'L'Autisme à tous les âges de la vie' at Futuroscope which gathered 500 participants.
• Autisme FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2021Major national autism advocacy organization. ARAPI maintains a stand at Autisme France Congresses and collaborates on shared advocacy for autism research and improved care.
• Hello AssocoreTechnology or Integration · 7 January 2020Platform partner enabling online membership, donations, and event registration for ARAPI. Handles credit card payments and administrative processing for supporter engagement.
• MailChimpcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Email marketing platform used for mass communication with members and supporters, sending newsletters, event announcements, and scientific information campaigns.
• ADAPEI d'Indre-et-LoirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner in organizing the Fondettes Scientific Conference series, collaborating on events bringing together researchers, professionals, and families in the Centre-Val de Loire region.
• GIS Autisme et TND (Groupement d'Intérêt Scientifique)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019ARAPI is a key founding member of the GIS Autisme et TND, a national consortium gathering 123+ research teams. The partnership focuses on federating autism and NDD research across France, promoting participative research, and organizing joint events including the annual Colloque Annuel.
• Ensemble Accompagnons les Autistes / Les Amis d'OliviercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Association supporting ARAPI's mission, providing both financial contributions and collaborative involvement in autism research and awareness activities.
• Ville de TourscoreOthers · 1 January 2017The city of Tours provides local support for ARAPI activities, reflecting regional commitment to autism research and awareness.
• Ville de FondettescoreOthers · 1 January 2017Host city for ARAPI headquarters, providing ongoing institutional support for the association's activities and presence in the community.
• Ville du CroisicminorOthers · 1 January 2017Host city for the Université d'Automne at Domaine de Port aux Rocs, providing local support for the annual scientific event.
• Domaine de Port aux RocscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Event venue hosting the annual Université d'Automne, providing accommodation and conference facilities for hundreds of participants.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GIS Autisme et TND: National French scientific interest group for autism and NDD, of which ARAPI is a founding member. GIS federates 123+ research teams and runs its own annual colloquium; ARAPI's scientific events (Université d'Automne) and the GIS annual colloquium serve overlapping research and clinical audiences.
• Autisme France: France's principal national autism advocacy organization. ARAPI is an active scientific partner at its biennial congresses (e.g., 2022 Rennes gathering ~400 participants); both serve the French autism community with overlapping family-facing constituencies, though Autisme France leads on advocacy and ARAPI on research dissemination.
• APAJH ( Fédération APAJH): Large French federation supporting people with disabilities including autism. APAJH86 (whose DG is ARAPI's president) is a direct recurring scientific partner; both organize large autism conferences (e.g., APAJH86 'L'Autisme à tous les âges' gathered 500+ participants in 2022), making APAJH a closely aligned peer in French autism programming.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): U.S. nonprofit that funds applied autism research and disseminates findings to families and professionals. Closely analogous to ARAPI in combining research-grantmaking with community-facing information, publications, and conferences.
• Fondation Autisme: Major French philanthropic actor funding autism research and family support. Both ARAPI and Fondation Autisme mobilize corporate and individual donors in France and engage the same research and family communities, though Fondation Autisme operates as a foundation while ARAPI is a membership association.
• International Society for Autism Research (INSAR): Global scientific society for autism researchers, organizer of the annual IMFAR/INSAR conference. ARAPI's Université d'Automne serves a similar 'researcher-to-community' convening role at national scale, making INSAR the international academic counterpart.

Regional players

• Sésame Autisme: French parent-led federation supporting autistic persons. Comparable to ARAPI in its origins in French parent advocacy and its continued engagement of families and professionals, but focused on services rather than research dissemination.

Broad incumbents

• National Autistic Society (UK): UK's leading charity for autistic people, covering research, services, advocacy, and information. Mirrors ARAPI's community-led, member-influenced structure but at much larger scale, with professional training services analogous to ARAPI's Datadock-certified offering.
• Autism Research Institute: U.S.-based organization dedicated to autism research and science-based information dissemination. Closely comparable to ARAPI in mission (research → community bridge), though globally oriented and English-language, with a longer-running research bulletin tradition.
• Autism Speaks: The largest U.S.-based autism advocacy and research funding organization. Comparable to ARAPI in mission (autism research dissemination and family support) but operates at vastly greater scale with global footprint, corporate sponsorships, and a much broader programmatic portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/arapi-autisme
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arapi-autisme

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ARAPI - French Association for Autism Research