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Current Research Studies

Recruiting Participants

Listed below are ongoing research studies, currently seeking participants, that have a special focus on early identification of autism and other developmental disorders. To learn more about these studies, please contact the individuals listed below.

First Signs is not responsible for these studies.

United States

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Iowa
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Any State

Canada

California - Posted 6/20/11

The REACH Project – Relating copy number variant genotypes to quantitative phenotypes in pediatric disorders

Location: University of California San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital Autism Discovery Institute
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Sebat, PhD
Co-Investigator: Christina Corsello, PhD
Co-Investigator: Natacha Akshoomoff, PhD
With funding from: Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

The REACH Project is a genetic research collaboration between the UCSD Department of Psychiatry and Rady Children’s Hospital Autism Discovery Institute. Our study aim is to relate genetic variations to neurodevelopment in children. We hope to learn more about how genetic variations influence brain development, and in what ways these variations may contribute to specific developmental conditions.

Involvement includes a single 1 ½ hour appointment with completion of developmental questionnaires by parents, non-invasive 3D image of your child’s head, and a simple blood draw.

If a genetic variation of interest to our study is found, you may be contacted for further participation.

Participants Needed:

Children between 3 and 17 years of age who have been evaluated or treated for any developmental, behavioral, or mental health condition, including ASD, ADHD, language delay, and/or developmental delay.

Compensation:

As a thank you for your time and participation, families receive a $20 gift card and prize for the child.

For more information, visit our website:
Jasper Estabillo and Tess Gadomski, Research Associates
Email: reachproject@ucsd.edu
Phone: (858) 336-5385 or (858) 336-9031

California - Posted 12/7/09

The EARLI Study – Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, a study to find the cause of autism

Location: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University’s School of Public Health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Craig J. Newschaffer

This study of women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant and already have a biological child diagnosed with autism has the potential to provide ground-breaking clues relevant to discovering possible environmental and genetic links to autism.

A network of leading autism researchers from across the country are participating in the largest, real-time research study to investigate early risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). EARLI will follow up to 1200 pregnant women from 20 or less weeks of pregnancy up to the new baby’s 3rd birthday. This current project aims to discover biological markers and environmental risk factors for autism, collecting wide ranging data with extensive biosampling and investigating the influence of hundreds of environmental factors from diet to infection to pesticides and medications.

Participants Needed:

Mothers who have a biological child diagnosed with ASD
Mothers who are pregnant 20 weeks or less, or may become pregnant
Mothers who live in the participating counties for the various study sites in Southeast Pennsylvania, Northeast Maryland and Northern California (please see our website for more specifics on locations of the study)

Compensation:

Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments for their new baby, beginning at 6 months of age through their 3rd birthday, along with reports detailing these assessments.
Participants will be compensated between $545 and $605 for completion of the entire study from pregnancy through the baby’s 3rd birthday; they will also be reimbursed for travel and related expenses.
Autism and behavioral assessments provided at no cost to the participating families.
Small gifts for the baby and the family will be given throughout the study, such as books for the baby, a diaper bag, and a social story for siblings about the baby’s birth
Access to local autism resources and information about study findings

For more information, visit our website:
www.EARLIStudy.org

California - Posted 1/02/07; revised 4/18/11

Neural & Behavioral Indicators of Autism

Principal Investigator: Karen Dobkins, Ph.D., UCSD Infant Vision Lab
Other Investigators: Leslie Carver, Ph.D., UCSD Developmental Neuroscience Lab
With Funding From: M.I.N.D. Institute, NAAR, and Autism Speaks

The laboratories of Drs. Karen Dobkins and Leslie Carver at UC- San Diego are currently seeking 1-month-old to 18-month-old baby siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders for participation in a series of visual, neural, and behavioral development through 3 years of age. All of the assessments are safe, non-invasive measures that we have used in previous studies in our laboratory to test infants in the general population. The assessments are carefully designed to assess specific brain and behavioral systems believed to be impaired in children with autism. The goal of this research program is to better understand brain and behavioral development in autism and related developmental disorders. By doing so, we hope to contribute to the development of diagnostic and intervention paradigms targeting young infants at-risk for developing autism.

Participants Needed:

1-month-old to 18-month-old infants with an older sibling who has a diagnosis of autism, PDD-NOS, or Asperger's syndrome.

Visits:

Up to 10

Compensation:

$25 and gifts for infant participants upon completion of each session.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Karen Dobkins
Phone: (858) 534-5434
Email: kdobkins@ucsd.edu
Website: http://babylab.ucsd.edu/autismhome.html

California - Posted 2/06/05

Research Volunteers Needed at the M.I.N.D. Institute

The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute’s clinical research program is seeking children of all ages (birth to adulthood) to participate in our studies. The research team is seeking participants with neurodevelopmental disorders, developmental delays, or typical development. In addition to helping our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, participants benefit from state-of-the-art assessment techniques and feedback from clinical researchers. Some studies also offer financial compensation.

For more information, go to:
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/research/studies.html

or contact:
Meridith Brandt
UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
Phone: 916.703.0320

At the M.I.N.D. Institute, research on neurodevelopmental disorders is conducted in three primary areas: behavioral, biological and intervention studies. Below is a listing of the studies the M.I.N.D. Institute is currently seeking participants for.

Behavioral Studies:

Infants at Risk of Autism: A Longitudinal Study
Regression and Imitation in Early Autism
Sleep in Young Children

Biological Studies:

Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment ("CHARGE")
Genomic and Biochemical Markers of Autism
Genotype-Phenotype Relationships in Fragile X Families
Neuropsychological Functioning and Treatment of Children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cortisol and Autism: Response to Social and Nonsocial Stress
Pharmacokinetics in Autism Treatment
Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorders with Comorbidity
Magnetic Resonance Techniques in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Pediatric Psychosis in Fragile X Syndrome
Brain Mapping in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Genetic Syndromes
Psychophysiology of Emotion in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neurobiology of Circumscribed Interests in Autism
Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Psychopharmacology in Patients with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy

Intervention Studies:

A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of Dietary Restriction of Gluten in Young Children with Autistic Disorder
A Multicenter, 10-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Sertraline and Placebo in Children and Adolescents with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Social Skills Training Program for High Functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD-NOS

Connecticut - Posted 1/7/04

Early Detection of Autism and Related Disorders

Deborah Fein, Ph.D., Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Connecticut

For more information, contact:
Deborah Fein, Ph.D.
Phone: 860.486.3518, Project phone: 860.486.5767 or 2538
Email: deborah.fein@uconn.edu

Early detection of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is crucial for early intervention and hence optimal outcome. We are continuing to develop and validate a screening tool for ASD, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) (Robins, Fein, Green and Barton, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, April, 2001), and investigating the properties of a second screening tool, the Yale Screener (Volkmar, Klin, and Chawarska).

See the e First Signs Website for additional information on the M-CHAT.

These screening tools are parent questionnaire instruments designed for children aged 16 to 30 months. They are administered in a pediatrician’s office and take only a few minutes to complete. They are sent to the University of Connecticut in an envelope provided, and scored by us. If a child fails the screening, the parent is called and asked about the failed items. If the child still fails, the family is offered a free developmental and diagnostic evaluation at the University of Connecticut, at the Yale Child Study Center, or in a Springfield, Ma. office (other arrangements may be possible). This evaluation is done within a few weeks, bypassing the waiting lists at the evaluation sites.

We are seeking additional pediatrician offices to participate. The study has been endorsed by the Hezekiah Beardsley Conn. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, approved by the Yale and UConn Institutional Review Boards as well as those of several participating hospitals, and funded by two federal agencies (MCH and NIH). The advantage to your patients is a free screening, free high quality timely developmental and diagnostic evaluation (and followup evaluation at age 4), and appropriate written recommendations by recognized authorities in the field of ASD. Families must be either able to travel to one of the evaluation sites, or if not, to your pediatric office if the evaluation can be done there and it is within driving distance of central Connecticut.

Delaware - Posted 12/7/09

The EARLI Study – Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, a study to find the cause of autism

Location: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University’s School of Public Health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Craig J. Newschaffer

Participants Needed:

Mothers who have a biological child diagnosed with ASD
Mothers who are pregnant 20 weeks or less, or may become pregnant
Mothers who live in the participating counties for the various study sites in Southeast Pennsylvania, Northeast Maryland and Northern California (please see our website for more specifics on locations of the study)

Compensation:

Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments for their new baby, beginning at 6 months of age through their 3rd birthday, along with reports detailing these assessments.
Participants will be compensated between $545 and $605 for completion of the entire study from pregnancy through the baby’s 3rd birthday; they will also be reimbursed for travel and related expenses.
Autism and behavioral assessments provided at no cost to the participating families.
Small gifts for the baby and the family will be given throughout the study, such as books for the baby, a diaper bag, and a social story for siblings about the baby’s birth
Access to local autism resources and information about study findings

For more information, visit our website:
www.EARLIStudy.org

Florida - Posted 6/14/05

Seeking Families From Iowa, Florida, and New Jersey

The Celeste Foundation, a non-profit research group dedicated to increasing the understanding of challenges faced by children with special needs and their families, was recently awarded a federal grant to research ways in which interactive video technology may assist parents and caregivers in supporting young children with autism. Specifically, the Celeste Foundation will examine the potential of interactive video systems for augmenting “Early Intervention” strategies in support of children diagnosed within the autism spectrum disorder.

The overall plan for the project is to enroll families in Iowa, Florida, and New Jersey who have a child between the ages of two and five with autism. Their involvement would begin with a brief stay at the National Institute of Telehealth (NIT) in Mt. Dora, Florida, for intensive program development. They would then return home with both a plan for services and a portable videoconferencing device that would provide a link between their home and the professionals who helped them at the Institute. Families who participate in the research will incur minimal out-of-pocket costs, as money from the research grant will be used to fund each families' travel expenses, leasing of specialized interactive video systems, and the professional services delivered to the child.

For more information, please contact:
Heather Stierwalt, Admissions Director, The Celeste Foundation
Phone: 352.385.1433
Email: stierwalth@celestefoundation.org
Web: http://www.celestefoundation.org

Iowa - Posted 6/14/05

Seeking Families From Iowa, Florida, and New Jersey

For more information, please contact:
Heather Stierwalt, Admissions Director, The Celeste Foundation
Phone: 352.385.1433
Email: stierwalth@celestefoundation.org
Web: http://www.celestefoundation.org

Maryland - Posted 01/19/11

PING: Creating a Pediatric Imaging-Genomics Data Resource, a research study on genes and brain development

Location: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
Principal Investigator: Dr. Walter E. Kaufmann

Across the country, researchers are studying the relationship between genes and brain development in typically developing children and young adults and to develop a database for future research. This database will help scientists and doctors better understand pediatric brain disorders.

Researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute are recruiting healthy, typically developing children and young adults between the ages of 3 to 20 years to participate in a study investigating the relationship between genes and brain development. This study is being conducted by centers across the country and it will help researchers better understand pediatric brain disorders. The study involves paper and pencil tasks, computer activities, saliva collection, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain. None of these tests are harmful or painful. There are no direct medical benefits for participating in this study. The study involves two sessions over one or two days (approx. 2.5 hours/session).

Participants Needed:

Healthy, typically developing children and young adults, ages 3-20.

Compensation:

Participants will receive $50 compensation.
All testing is done free of charge.
Participants will receive a picture of their brain

For more information please contact:
Mohsin Javid,
Study Coordinator
Email: javid@kennedykrieger.org
Phone: (443) 923-2793

Maryland - Posted 12/7/09

The EARLI Study – Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, a study to find the cause of autism

Location: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University’s School of Public Health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Craig J. Newschaffer

Participants Needed:

Mothers who have a biological child diagnosed with ASD
Mothers who are pregnant 20 weeks or less, or may become pregnant
Mothers who live in the participating counties for the various study sites in Southeast Pennsylvania, Northeast Maryland and Northern California (please see our website for more specifics on locations of the study)

Compensation:

Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments for their new baby, beginning at 6 months of age through their 3rd birthday, along with reports detailing these assessments.
Participants will be compensated between $545 and $605 for completion of the entire study from pregnancy through the baby’s 3rd birthday; they will also be reimbursed for travel and related expenses.
Autism and behavioral assessments provided at no cost to the participating families.
Small gifts for the baby and the family will be given throughout the study, such as books for the baby, a diaper bag, and a social story for siblings about the baby’s birth
Access to local autism resources and information about study findings

For more information, visit our website:
www.EARLIStudy.org

Maryland - Posted Posted 7/13/04

Neurobiologic Origins and Innovative Treatment in Autism

Rebecca Landa, Principal Investigator, Director, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Margaret Bauman, Co-Investigator, Medical Director of Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services at MGH/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School

For more information in the MD/D.C./VA region, contact:
REACH team
Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Baltimore, MD
Phone: 877.850.3372
Email: reach@kennedykrieger.org

For more information in the Northeast/Boston region, contact:
Dana Christenson
LADDERS program
MGH/Spaulding Hospital
Phone: 781.449.6074074

In this study, we are attempting to identify behavioral profiles that enhance early identification of ASD. This study specifically focuses on joint attention, affective, and communication domains in children at high risk for ASD and communication disorders from 6 to 36 months of age. There is evidence that these aspects of development have importance for diagnosis of ASD during the first two years of life. This study is of importance even beyond early identification of ASD. The design of this study will permit examination of joint attention, affect, and communication development at the end of infancy through toddlerhood, an important period for the development of interpersonal relatedness. Family history studies indicate that autism sibs are at increased risk of ASD and communication disorder, implying a need for screening during infancy. Young sibs provide an important opportunity to learn about the early manifestation and developmental trajectory of ASD, relationship between social and language domains in the development of typical and atypical populations, genetics of autism, and neuropsychological bases/ brain development in ASD and other characteristics of autism.

The Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders REACH program has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and has been designated as a National STAART (Studies to Advance Autism Research and Training ) Center, to conduct research on the early detection of autism spectrum disorders and language impairment. Three groups of children are being recruited for participation in the early detection study:

Children who are 18 months to 24 months, who are late talkers (saying less than 10 words), but who have no family history of autism (Baltimore site only); p;
Baby siblings under 14 months of age having older siblings with autism (Baltimore and Boston sites);
Typically developing infants at 6 months of age (Baltimore and Boston sites).

The NIH has also awarded funding for an early intervention study of autism spectrum disorders. For the early intervention study, children under age 33 months of age with ASD are sought. The intervention program runs four to five days a week for 2 1/2 hours for a total of six months. While there are no direct medical benefits for participation in our study, you can learn more about your child’s development, receive free developmental assessments, and when appropriate, receive referral resources for intervention services.. There is no cost for participation.

Massachusetts - Posted 7/25/10

Participant Database for Persons Interested in
Research Studies of Developmental Disorders

TRANSCEND Research Program
Treatment Research and NeuroSCience Evaluation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Principal Investigator: Martha Herbert, MD, PhD,
Principal Investigator: Katherine Martien, MD
Principal Investigator: Tal Kenet, PhD

What we study:

The brain: how it works and how it develops
How the brain and body affect each other
Why some children have developmental disorders, such as autism

What we do:

We use the latest, safest and non-invasive technologies to compare the brains of healthy children and children with developmental disorders. We use:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to take pictures of the brain, and
MEG (MagnetoEncephaloGraphy) and EEG (ElectroEncephaloGraphy) to record brain waves.

Our staff is trained to work with children of all ages and abilities to make the experience fun, comfortable and informative for your child.

What we hope to accomplish:

Determine the causes of autism and language problems
Find ways to detect autism and language problems earlier in childhood

Participants Needed:

To take part in this research study you must be:

Children with autism spectrum disorder ages 6 to 13
Children with typical development ages 6 to 13

Determining study eligibility requires a short phone screening.

Visits:

5-6 visits.

Compensation:

Participants will be compensated for their time ($20-$50/hour), parking and travel expenses
Your child will be given the opportunity to pick a prize at the end of each visit
We will also provide you with a summary report of your child’s cognitive test scores

For more information please contact:
Please visit our website www.transcendresearch.org or contact us by email at transcend@partners.org or by phone at (617) 966-9766.

Massachusetts - Posted 6/14/10

Patterns of Social Coordination in Children with Autism

Principal Investigator: Richard Schmidt, PhD
Principal Investigator: Paula Fitzpatrick, PhD
With Funding from: National Science Foundation

Deficits in social coordination in children with autism may be related to the difficulty they have in relating to others.
Social coordination involves both bodily and mental connectedness. To achieve bodily connectedness, people have to coordinate one’s body with another person while performing two simultaneous actions (synchrony) or while performing the same actions in sequence (imitation or mimicry). To achieve mental connectedness, people must be able to coordinate thoughts and ideas to understand what the other person is thinking (theory of mind) or what they are attending to (joint attention).
Our goal is to determine the exact nature of the social coordination deficits that children with autism have. Such research could be used to design more effective interventions to build on dimensions of social coordination that children with autism have competencies in and to develop those that are lacking.

Participants Needed:

To take part in this research study you must be:

A child between 4 and 7 years old
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Visits:

The study will take place at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Your child will be asked to perform a variety of simple imitation, synchrony, and cooperative tasks (e.g., tapping on a drum, catching a ball dropped down a tube, imitating facial gestures) for approximately 45-60 minutes. The experimental sessions will be videotaped so that we can later code the tapes to analyze patterns of imitation, synchrony, and cooperation. No names of the children will be associated with any part of the project and the videos will only be used for research and training purposes.

Compensation:

Children participating in the research will receive a certificate of appreciation and a $10 gift card to a local store.

For more information please contact:
Paula Fitzpatrick , Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Psychology Department
Assumption College
E-mail: pfitzpat@assumption.edu
Phone: (508) 767-7550

Massachusetts - Posted 5/27/09

Understanding the Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg
With Funding From: the Autism Consortium.

Goals

To investigate brain processing of emotions in ASD.
To investigate interconnections between genes, brain activity and behavior.
This study uses several brain imaging methods, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG).

Participants Needed:

Males between the ages of 14 and 20 with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD).
Participants cannot have any metal (e.g., dental braces) in their body.
Individuals who are younger than 18 will require permission of a parent/guardian to participate. If you are 18 or older, we will need your permission to conduct an interview with a parent or close relative to confirm your diagnosis of ASD.

Visits:

The study involves visits to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston. On each visit, you will participate in a different kind of brain imaging while you look at faces and houses. All brain imaging techniques used are safe and non-invasive.

Compensation:

Participants in this study receive $20 per hour of participation. Up to $165 compensation for your time may be paid over the course of the study. Parking will be arranged at each site.

For more information please contact the project coordinator:
Rachna Mutreja
Phone: 617.414.2358
E-mail: rachna@bu.edu

Massachusetts - Posted 4/25/09

A study to assess the role of a gluten free-casein free diet in the dietary management of autism associated gastrointestinal disorders

Principal Investigator: Harland S. Winter, M.D.
Co-Investigator: Timothy M. Buie, M.D.
With Funding from: Nutricia North America, Inc.

Does your child have ASD? Does your child also have stomach or intestinal problems?

Doctors at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) are doing a research study to learn if a dairy free-gluten free diet is helpful in improving gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autism.

Participants Needed:

To take part in this research study you must be:

A child between 2 and 17 years old
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Experiencing at least 2 gastrointestinal symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Reflux
- Abdominal pain (such as signs of pain after eating &/or self injurious behavior)
- Suspected food allergy
Willing to follow a gluten free-dairy free diet for 12 weeks
Willing to drink 2 or 3 cartons (juice-box size) of an amino acid based supplement drink daily for 12 weeks

Visits:

This is a 14-week study that requires between 5 & 9 office visits. All study related activities -including physical exams, blood samples and allergy testing - and an amino acid based supplement drink, are at no cost. Research study visits will take place at MGHfC in Boston, or at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, or at LADDERS in Lexington.

For more information please contact:
Marie Washek
Phone: 617.243.6155

Massachusetts - Posted 4/21/09

Phenotypic and Genetic Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Principal Investigator: Louis Kunkel, PhD, Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD
Other Investigators: Leonard Rappaport, MD, Charles Nelson, PhD, Ellen Hanson, PhD, Rachel Hundley, PhD, Ingrid Holm, MD, MPH
With Funding From: The Simons Foundation, the Autism Consortium of Boston, and the National Institute of Mental Health

The main goal of this study is to better understand Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and related disorders in order to better identify why they occur, increase our ability for early identification, and find improved treatments. We are interested in finding out how environmental and behavioral factors may be linked to genetic material within and across families.

We will collect a wide range of information as part of our study, including developmental history, family history, and environmental information. We interview all immediate family members, including parent(s) and sibling(s), as well as the individual affected by autism. We also collect genetic material in the form of blood samples from all participating family members.

Participants Needed:

Individuals aged 24 months and older with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder
and their families

Visits:

2 visits, one at the participants’ home and one at Children’s Hospital Boston

Compensation:

$40 gift certificate for the individual with ASD and any participating siblings
Travel and parking
Shortly after the visits, participants receive a research report of our observations. These results include cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and social findings

For more information, please contact:
Kayla Greenberg
Recruitment Coordinator
Phone: 866.982.5826
Email: ASDResearch@childrens.harvard.edu
Web: www.childrenshospital.org/research/autism

Massachusetts - Posted 1/10/09

Understanding the Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Principal Investigator: Helen Tager-Flusberg
Other Investigators: John Gabrieli and Charles Nelson
With Funding From: Autism Consortium

At Boston University Medical Center, we are studying brain processing of emotions in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in males between the ages of 14 and 28. In collaboration with Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts General Hospital and the BROAD Institute, we will investigate the interconnections between genes, brain activity, and behavior in ASD. If selected for the study, the individual will participate in different kinds of brain imaging while looking at faces and houses. All brain imaging techniques used are safe and non-invasive.

Participants Needed:

Males aged 14 to 28 with an autism spectrum disorder (autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD)

Visits:

3 visits (one at Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Massachusetts General Hospital)

Compensation:

$20 dollar payments per visit and up to $165 over the course of the study.
Travel and parking

For more information, please contact:
Rachna Mutreja
Project Coordinator
Phone: 617- 414- 2358
Email: rachna@bu.edu
Web: http://www.bu.edu/autism

Massachusetts - Posted 7/16/07 (Updated 12/10/08)

Autism Research at the Boston University School of Medicine: Infant Sibling Project

Principal Investigator: Helen Tager-Flusberg
Other Investigators: Alice Carter and Charles Nelson
With Funding From: Autism Speaks and the National Institutes of Health

At Boston University Medical Center, we are studying the development of language, social and communication skills in infants 3 to 24 months. In collaboration with Children’s Hospital, Boston we are looking to expand participation in this project and are actively seeking to enroll parents of children with autism who are pregnant or have an infant aged 6 months or younger. If selected for the study, your baby will look at pictures and listen to sounds while their brain waves will be monitored using non-invasive methods. He or she will play with toys, and interact with experienced professionals. Parents will be invited to keep a home diary about their children’s developing skills. Babies usually love it and parents find the feedback extremely informative. Babies who participate are monitored closely for any signs of autism from birth to 18 months, and beyond. We will also like to interview you and see your older child during one visit.

Participants Needed:

Babies aged 6 months or younger who have an older sibling with an autism spectrum disorder

Visits:

7 visits (one at 3 months, 9 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months)

Compensation:

$25 dollar payments after each infant visit.
Gifts for infant participants upon completion of each session.
Gift for older sibling upon completion of their visit.
Travel and parking

For more information, please contact:
Tara Augenstein
Family Coordinator
Phone: 617- 455- 7238
Email: project.infantsibling@gmail.com
Web: http://www.bu.edu/autism

Massachusetts - Posted 4/24/07

Neural & Behavioral Indicators of Autism

Principal Investigator: Shelley Velleman, Ph.D., Mary Andrianopoulos, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Christina Foreman, Ph.D.
With Funding From: M.I.N.D. Institute, NAAR, and Autism Speaks

Half of all children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) do not communicate by speaking. The nature of their speech problems is not understood. There are three possible causes: muscle weakness (dysarthria), poor motor programming/planning (apraxia), or limited ability to represent words as sounds in their minds (phonology). In a survey study, Marili, Andrianopoulos, Velleman, and Foreman (2005) found that 60% of children with ASD had at least some of these factors interfering with oral communication. The purpose of this study is to determine whether children with ASD exhibit signs and symptoms consistent with a motor speech problem. The results of this study will shed insight into the nature of the communication breakdown in children with ASD and appropriate treatment approaches to enhance oral communication.

We are looking for healthy children diagnosed with ASD that between the ages of 4 to 6 years and meet the following inclusion criteria:

the presence of a speech and communication disorder
non-verbal IQ of 70-90 based on formal IQ testing
normal hearing and vision
no behavioral problems that inflict injury onto self or others.

Potential candidates with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder should be based on a written report provided by a qualified physician, psychologist, speech-language pathologist, or qualified specialist.

Visits:

Children who qualify for the study will be scheduled for four 1-2 hour evaluation sessions. The test activities in each session will be organized in a fun, lively way with breaks so that the child participant will not get frustrated, bored or tired. Child participants will be rewarded for their efforts and participation with parent approved items such as stickers, food, etc. During the four sessions, tests and activities will be given to assess the child’s IQ, oral structures, speech, hearing, understanding and use of language, and voice.

Compensation:

In addition to praise and rewards (stickers, small toys, etc.) for the child’s efforts on the tests and activities, the child participant will receive a research stipend in compensation for his/her participation in this study. Monetary payment for the child’s participation will consist of:

three (3) $20 dollar payments for the first three sessions
one (1) $40 payment for the fourth and last session.

Therefore, each child’s total stipend will be $100 for their participation in all four sessions. If the child does not attend or complete a session, he/she will not be compensated for his/her participation in that session. Transportation, gas, tolls and parking costs to and from the facilities located on the UMass-Amherst Campus will not be compensated.

For more information, please contact:
Call or email your contact information (Name, Address, City, State, Zip) to:
Dr. Mary Andrianopoulos
(413) 545-0551 or mva@comdis.umass.edu
or
Dr. Shelley Velleman
(413) 545-3636 or velleman@comdis.umass.edu

Massachusetts - Posted 5/10/07

Autism Research at the Boston University School of Medicine:
Brain and Language Development in Children with Autism

Director: Helen Tager-Flusberg
Principal Investigator: Robert M. Joseph, PhD

This longitudinal study is funded by NAAR and uses state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques to assess relationships between brain and language development in young children with autism. Participation involves diagnostic, cognitive and language testing as well as a brief brain imaging protocol. We use mock scanner training to prepare children to lie still in the real scanner. We invite all children to come back one year later for repeat brain imaging and behavioral testing.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Ages 4 to 7 years with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
Meet safety criteria for magnetic resonance imaging (e.g., no braces or metal implants)

For more information, please contact:
Lee Brannon
Phone: 617-414-1300
Email: ddrp@bu.edu
Web: http://www.bu.edu/autism

Massachusetts - Posted 1/11/06

Differentiation of Apraxia and Dysarthria Motor Ppeech Impairments

Principle Investigator: Mary Andrianopolous, PhD.
Other Investigators: Shelley Velleman, PhD. , Jennifer Perkins

We are looking for six-year-olds with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and six-year-olds with dysarthria who are cognitively within normal limits/functioning at age-appropriate grade level and have no cranial-facial anomalies, significant auditory or visual sensory deficits, significant behavioral disorder, for research being conducted at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Each child will receive a FREE comprehensive phonology & motor speech evaluation and will also participate in a video procedure to measure their mouth movements. A diagnostic report will be written if the parents request it.

Participants Needed:

Six-year-olds with apraxia of speech
Six-year-olds with dysarthria

Visits:

Compensation:

$15 for each of the first two sessions and $20 for the third session.

For more information, please contact:
Mary Andrianopolous
Phone: (413) 545-0551
Email: mva@comdis.umass.edu

Massachusetts - Posted 1/11/06

Motor Speech Characteristics of Children with Autism

Priniciple Investigator: Mary Andrianopolous, PhD
Other Investigators: Shelley Velleman, PhD, Jennifer Perkins

We are looking for four- to six-year-olds with any type of autism spectrum disorder or PDD. They must have a non-verbal IQ of 70-90 and an expressive vocabulary of at least 50 oral and/or signed words; at least 10 of those oral, for research being conducted at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Each child will receive a FREE comprehensive phonology and motor speech evaluation and will also participate in a video procedure to measure their mouth movements. A diagnostic report will be written if the parents request it.

Participants Needed:

4-6 year olds with autism spectrum disorder or PDD

Visits:

Compensation:

$20 for each of the first three sessions, $40 for the fourth session.

For more information, please contact:
Mary Andrianopolous
Phone: (413) 545-0551
Email: mva@comdis.umass.edu

Massachusetts - Posted 7/13/04

Neurobiologic Origins and Innovative Treatment in Autism

Rebecca Landa, Principal Investigator, Director, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

For more information in the Northeast/Boston region, contact:
Dana Christenson
LADDERS program
MGH/Spaulding Hospital
Phone: 781.449.6074074

Children who are 18 months to 24 months, who are late talkers (saying less than 10 words), but who have no family history of autism (Baltimore site only); p;
Baby siblings under 14 months of age having older siblings with autism (Baltimore and Boston sites);
Typically developing infants at 6 months of age (Baltimore and Boston sites).

Massachusetts - Posted 1/7/04

Incidence of Motor Speech Impairment Among Individuals with Autism and Asperger’s Disorders

Mary Andrianopoulos, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Disorders, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Shelley Velleman, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Disorders, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Keren Marili, Research Assistant and Principal Investigator

For more information, contact:
Keren Marili
Phone: 781.771.4117
Email: kmarili@student.umass.edu

This research study will consist of a large-scale retrospective investigation to identify the incidence and nature of motor impairment among individuals diagnosed with autism and Asperger’s Disorder. Investigators are interested in locating parents or guardians of individuals with autism and Asperger’s Disorder to participate in this study. Participants from any geographical region are welcome.

Although a possible motor speech component has been suggested in the literature on autism and Asperger’s Disorder, there is little empirical evidence to support this theory. This retrospective study will provide empirical data that will either support or refute the existence and degree of motor impairment in individuals with autism and Asperger’s Disorder. The research findings will provide insight into the nature of these disorders with respect to differential diagnosis and remediation. Moreover, the investigation will shed light on possible neurological substrates and neuronal mechanisms underlying these Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs).

Participants will be asked to take part in a 20-minute phone interview to obtain developmental, medical and communication histories on their child. Participants will also have the option to complete the questionnaire independently and return it by mail to the principal investigator, Keren Marili, in a self-addressed and stamped envelope (to be provided). Participants will receive a brief follow-up telephone call to review information reported in the questionnaires. Participation is voluntary, confidential and not labor intensive.

This study has been approved by the UMass Human Subjects Review Board.

New Jersey - Posted 12/7/09

The EARLI Study – Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, a study to find the cause of autism

Location: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University’s School of Public Health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Craig J. Newschaffer

Participants Needed:

Mothers who have a biological child diagnosed with ASD
Mothers who are pregnant 20 weeks or less, or may become pregnant
Mothers who live in the participating counties for the various study sites in Southeast Pennsylvania, Northeast Maryland and Northern California (please see our website for more specifics on locations of the study)

Compensation:

Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments for their new baby, beginning at 6 months of age through their 3rd birthday, along with reports detailing these assessments.
Participants will be compensated between $545 and $605 for completion of the entire study from pregnancy through the baby’s 3rd birthday; they will also be reimbursed for travel and related expenses.
Autism and behavioral assessments provided at no cost to the participating families.
Small gifts for the baby and the family will be given throughout the study, such as books for the baby, a diaper bag, and a social story for siblings about the baby’s birth
Access to local autism resources and information about study findings

For more information, visit our website:
www.EARLIStudy.org

New Jersey - Posted 6/14/05

Seeking Families From Iowa, Florida, and New Jersey

For more information, please contact:
Heather Stierwalt, Admissions Director, The Celeste Foundation
Phone: 352.385.1433
Email: stierwalth@celestefoundation.org
Web: http://www.celestefoundation.org

Pennsylvania - Posted 12/7/09

The EARLI Study – Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, a study to find the cause of autism

Location: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University’s School of Public Health
Principal Investigator: Dr. Craig J. Newschaffer

Participants Needed:

Mothers who have a biological child diagnosed with ASD
Mothers who are pregnant 20 weeks or less, or may become pregnant
Mothers who live in the participating counties for the various study sites in Southeast Pennsylvania, Northeast Maryland and Northern California (please see our website for more specifics on locations of the study)

Compensation:

Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments for their new baby, beginning at 6 months of age through their 3rd birthday, along with reports detailing these assessments.
Participants will be compensated between $545 and $605 for completion of the entire study from pregnancy through the baby’s 3rd birthday; they will also be reimbursed for travel and related expenses.
Autism and behavioral assessments provided at no cost to the participating families.
Small gifts for the baby and the family will be given throughout the study, such as books for the baby, a diaper bag, and a social story for siblings about the baby’s birth
Access to local autism resources and information about study findings

For more information, visit our website:
www.EARLIStudy.org

Pennsylvania - Posted 12/3/08

Brain Development in Autism: Infant Sibling Study

Location: The Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Principal Investigator: Robert Schultz, Ph.D., Sarah Paterson, Ph.D.

This study of very early brain development in autism has the potential to provide important clues relevant to early detection of autism and discover the early changes in the brains of young children with autism.

Past family studies have found that siblings of a person with an autism spectrum disorder are at a higher risk for having ASD than members of the general population. Most recently, results from MRI studies of brain development in 2-year-olds showed that brain enlargement is already present at a young age in children with ASD. The data collected suggest that brain overgrowth may begin as early as 12 months of age, if not earlier. This current project aims to identify very early brain features that may be characteristic of infants at risk for ASD.

Participants Needed:

Infants under 12 months of age with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD
Infant siblings of typically developing children

Compensation:

Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments, an MRI scan of the brain, and referrals for local services.
Participants will be reimbursed for travel and related expenses.
Assessments and MRI scans associated with the project are provided at no cost to the family.

For more information, please contact:
Debra Dunn
Phone: 1-866-570-6524
Email: autism@email.chop.edu

Information is also available at stokes.chop.edu/dnl and www.ibis-network.org.
For more information about the Center for Autism Research, visit stokes.chop.edu/car.

Pennsylvania - Posted 4/1/08

Pittsburgh Early Autism Study: Infant Sibling Project

Principal Investigator: Nancy J. Minshew
Other Investigators: Mark Strauss and Jana Iverson
With Funding From: National Institutes of Health

The PEAS group at the University of Pittsburgh is studying infant siblings of children with autism, in order to understand the earliest indicators of autism spectrum disorders. Infants will be followed in a longitudinal study from five months through four years of age. They will be observed watching pictures and videos and playing with caregivers. Infants receive free assessments of autism symptoms from 18 to 48 months of age, and the older siblings receive free diagnostic testing during the screening process. There are two projects that make up PEAS, one requiring visits to the University of Pittsburgh and one with in-home visits to your house. Families are encouraged to participate in both of the PEAS projects

Participants Needed:

Infant siblings of children with and without an autism spectrum disorder, ages 5 to 16 months. Infants must have been born at term with no pregnancy or delivery complications.

Visits:

Varies depending on whether one or both projects are participated in.

Compensation:

Travel costs are reimbursed and free parking is provided.
The project with University of Pittsburgh lab visits additionally compensates $20 per visit for the family’s time.
The project with at-home visits will give your child a small gift at each session, and a baby book at the end of the study.

For more information, please contact:
Phone: 1-866-647-3436
Email: autismrecruiter@upmc.edu

Pennsylvania - Posted 6/14/05

Early Identification of Autism: A Prospective Study

University of Pittsburgh (Department of Psychology) will examine the development of vocal and motor behaviors in infants siblings of children with autism. They wish to see how infants move their hands, arms, and bodies as they vocalize, and how their movements change as they begin to babble and to talk. In-home observations will occur once a month from the time the infant is 5 months old until s/he is 14 months old, with a single follow-up visit when s/he is 18 months old. This is a total of 11 home visits, each expected to last approximately one hour. During these visits, they will videotape infants and caregivers as they engage in everyday household activities and play together. They will also ask caregivers to answer questions about their baby’s development and to complete some questionnaires. Between visits, they will ask caregivers to keep track of early developmental milestones in a baby book provided by them, and to make audiotapes of their infant’s vocalizations using a tape recorder also provided by them. Participating infants will receive a small gift at the end of each session. At the end of the study, families will receive their baby book and a compilation DVD of their infant with clips from each of the observation sessions. The information that they gather will help them to identify patterns of vocal and motor development that may be associated with increased risk of a later autism diagnosis.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Infants must be younger than 5 months of age and have an older sibling with a diagnosis of autism
Infants must have been born at term and with no complications , and they must not have any severe sensory or motor impairments, or any diagnosed metabolic, genetic, or neurological disorders
Families must be English-speaking

For more information, please contact:
Jana Iverson, PhD or Kelly Aller at the University of Pittsburgh
Phone: (412) 624-4517
Email: kna5@pitt.edu
Web: http://www.pitt.edu/~icl

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Melatonin for Insomnia in Children with Autism

Principal Investigator: Beth Malow, M.D.
Other Investigators: Drs. Wendy Stone & Sue McGrew (Pediatrics)

Sleep difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common reasons why parents seek medical help for their children. Quality sleep may affect how a child behaves. The goal of our study is to look at how a daily dose of melatonin affects sleep and daytime behavior in children with autism. The study involves several stages. You and your child may choose to complete some or all of the following stages, depending on your child’s eligibility.

Stage 1: Parent completes surveys about sleep and behavior
Stage 2: Child has an assessment of autism spectrum diagnosis, language comprehension, and cognitive ability at Vanderbilt. A medical exam and blood draw will be required if child is eligible for stage 3.
Stage 3: Sixteen week treatment with supplemental melatonin. We will give you the supplemental melatonin. Parent completes 2 forms daily about their child’s sleep. A monthly follow up visit to Vanderbilt for 3 times.

Participants Needed:

Children with autism who have sleep concerns and are between the age of 4 and 10 years. The children must be seizure free.

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

Varies, usually 4

Compensation:

Compensation will be offered to the families who participate.

For more information, please contact:
Karen Adkins, MA, RN, CCRC
Email: autismsleepresearch@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 936-1646

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Puzzle Skill in Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Principal Investigator: Elisabeth Dykens, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Wendy Stone, Ph.D.

Are some people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) really good at puzzles? We have heard that, and we would like to know for sure. We are looking for 20 people with ASD who are very fast and accurate at putting jigsaw puzzles together.

We invite you to come to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for 2 visits:
On the first 1 hour visit we will ask you to:

Put some puzzles together for us
Have a parent or caregiver answer some questions

We might ask you to come back for a second visit.
On that 2-hour visit we will:

Ask you some questions
Confirm your ASD diagnosis

Participants Needed:

Persons with autism spectrum disorders 8 years old and up who are REALLY good at jigsaw puzzles.

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

Up to 2

Compensation:

At least a $20 Target gift card.

For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Roof, M.A.
Email: elizabeth.roof@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-3330

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Hanen Parent Training for Young Children at Risk for Autism

Principal Investigator: Wendy Stone, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Paul Yoder, Ph.D

We want to help the parents of children at risk for autism support their children's language. We are studying a parent-training program for children at risk for autism. Can it make a difference for parents and children? Children will come for a screening visit to see if they qualify for the study. All families will receive $20 for this visit.

After the screening visit, children will be randomly assigned into one of two groups. All children may keep going to their current therapies during the study.

Treatment Group: “More Than Words" is a Hanen Program® that gives parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) practical tools to help their children communicate. Families in the treatment group will participate in:

a group orientation session
a home visit from the therapist
8 weekly small group sessions at Vanderbilt
3 in-home sessions.

Non-treatment group: Families in the non-treatment group will receive no intervention through this study. They are free to receive treatment from others in the community.

All children who qualify for the study will come for these 3 visits:

1st evaluation visit - will include cognitive testing and other measures of social and communication behaviors. Families get $30 for this visit.
2nd evaluation visit – will take place 5 months after the first evaluation visit, and will include the same social and communication measures. Families get $75 for this visit.
3rd evaluation visit – will take place 9 months after the first evaluation visit, and will include an autism diagnostic measure and a report on the child's development. Families get $100 for this visit. Autism Speaks funds this study. It is also going on at the University of Miami and the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Participants Needed:

Children 15 to 24 months old who are at risk for autism. Children considered to be “at risk” are those: (1) who have failed a routine autism screening; (2) Children who have delays in social and communication development; (3) Children whose parents or service providers have expressed concerns about ASD; OR (4) Younger siblings of children with ASD whose parents have concerns about their social or communication development.

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

At least 4, more for those in treatment group

Compensation:

up to $225; half of the participants will receive a no-cost treatment.

For more information, please contact:
Abby Brown
Email: abigail.brown@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-7101

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Sleep Characteristics and Neurocognitive Functioning

Principal Investigator: Alexandra Key, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Beth Malow, MD, MSCI

We are interested in how sleep characteristics may affect brain responses to tasks requiring listening, attention, and memory in children with ASD. We welcome those who sleep well and those who do not. We ask you to come in for one visit: You will be asked to:

answer some questions
put on our stretchy, warm, damp cap
watch the computer screen
dry your hair off
get a toy from the treasure box.

If your child has already participated in some stages of Dr. Malow's sleep studies, please let us know. That will be helpful to us.

Participants Needed:

Children with ASD between 5 and 8 years old.

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

1 visit that would last 1 -1½ hours

Compensation:

$30 Toys-R-Us gift card.

For more information, please contact:
Susan M. Williams
Email: Susie.Williams@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-1961

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Multisensory Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Principal Investigator: Mark Wallace, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Wendy Stone, Ph.D.

Does your child like to play computer games? If so, we have computer games that test how well your child sees and hears. If your child is between 8 and 17 years old, has an autism spectrum disorder OR is typically developing, then your child may be eligible to participate.

Participants Needed:

Two groups:

Children between 8 and 17 years old with autism spectrum disorders
Typically developing Children between 8 and 17 years old

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

1 two-hour visit

Compensation:

Participants will receive a $30 gift card.

For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Foss-Feig
Email: jennifer.h.foss-feig@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 936-0265

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

TRIAD Research Project: Simons Simplex Collection Project at Vanderbilt University

Principal Investigator: James Sutcliffe, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Wendy Stone, Ph.D., & Zachary Warren, Ph.D.

Vanderbilt professors Jim Sutcliffe and Wendy Stone are conducting a new multisite study designed to examine the genetic causes of autism spectrum disorders(ASD). To qualify for this study, parents must be willing to complete a series of eligibility screening procedures and bring their family to Vanderbilt for assessment. All family members will be asked to give a small sample of blood as a source of DNA.

Children with ASD will receive a free behavioral assessment and families will be contacted for follow-up questions as researchers pursue promising findings.

This study is funded by the Simons Foundation and is also being conducted at 10 other universities across North America.

Participants Needed:

We are looking for families with:

One child with ASD, age 5-18.
One or more siblings without ASD, age four or older.
Both biological parents who are willing to participate.

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Compensation:

Children with ASD will receive a free assessment & families will be compensated for
their time.

For more information, please contact:
Amy Nicholson, M.A.
Email: amy.g.nicholson@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-96488

Zachary Warren, Ph.D.
Email: zachary.warren@vanderbilt.edu
(615) 936-7159

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Adult Brain Research at Vanderbilt

Principal Investigator: Carissa Cascio, Ph.D.

We are researchers at Vanderbilt University, and we are currently investigating how the brain combines information from different senses, and how it responds to images related to hobbies.

HOW MUCH OF MY TIME IS NEEDED? This depends on several factors, including how many sessions you qualify for, and how much time you want to contribute. Eligible participants may spend anywhere from 1 ½ hours to as much as 12 hours, spread out over a number of days.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING? You will be asked to answer some questions and complete some puzzles in the first session. After that session, you may qualify for further sessions. These will include brief tests that involve vision, hearing, and touch, and two brain scans using an MRI. If you participate in the MRI portion of the study, you’ll also get a picture of your brain to take home!

Participants Needed:

We are looking for people who:

are healthy
are between the ages of 18 and 50 OR
kids who are between the ages of 8 and 17
speak English fluently
currently have a strong hobby, activity, or interest
do or do not have an autism spectrum diagnosis

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

Varies-- see above

Compensation:

The study pays $20/hour. Your parking at Vanderbilt will be paid for.

For more information, please contact:
Akua Cosby
Email: akua.a.cosby@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 936-0151

Tennessee - Posted 11/10/06

Social-emotional development of infants at risk for ASD

Principal Investigator: Wendy Stone, Ph.D.

The purpose of this study is to understand the social and communication development of infants who have older siblings with autism. We hope to use this information to design methods of early intervention and prevention.

Eligible families will come to Vanderbilt for up to 7 visits. Children will receive assessments of their social and communication behavior at each visit, and will receive diagnostic evaluations at 24 months and 36 months of age. Children who begin the assessments at 6 months old age will have a total of 7 visits. Children who begin the assessments at 12 months of age will have a total of 5 visits.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) funds this study. It is also going on at the University of Miami.

Participants Needed:

Babies between the ages of 5 months and 13 months old who have an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Brochure:

Download Brochure

Visits:

5-7 visits depending upon age of enrollment

Compensation:

up to $675

For more information, please contact:
Dana Cristina, Vanderbilt Autism Research Coordinator
Email: akua.a.cosby@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 322-5840

Tennessee - Posted 7/20/06

Parenting Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Principal Investigator: Elisabeth Dykens PhD
Other Investigators: Wendy L. Stone PhD

This study aims to identify the concerns, strengths, health, and well-being of parents who are raising sons or daughters with different types of developmental disabilities. Although caring for offspring with disabilities creates stresses and challenges, it also brings unique sources of strength and reward. We aim to assess both the stresses and joys of parenting children with Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and typically developing children. Parents will complete a packet of questionnaires that assesses their coping styles, stresses, health, and mental health; the packet takes about 50 minutes to complete. We also plan to examine stress through cortisol sampling; cortisol is a hormone associated with our responses to stress, and is easily measured in saliva. Findings will shed new light on both the positive and more stressful sides of raising children with developmental disabilities, including ways of reducing stress and supporting families across the lifespan.

Participants Needed:

Parents of children with Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder aged 3 years through adulthood
Parents of typically developing children age 3 to 211

Visits:

By mail, or for local families, 1 visit

Compensation:

$20 gift card for completion, and feedback about their responses and the study in general.

For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Roof, PhD
Phone: (615) 343-3330 or
Email: elizabeth.roof@vanderbilt.edu

Any State - Posted 6/20/11

Dissertation Study Investigating The Relationship of Adolescent Sibling Resources to Severity of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sense of Coherence

Location: Throughout the United States. Questionnaires mailed to eligible participants with postage paid return.

Principal Investigator: Laura O. Smith, MS, ARNP
Sponsored by the University of Florida

This study is an investigation of family environments with a member who has been diagnosed with autism, Asperger syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Non-Specified (PDD-NOS). The primary aim of the study is to characterize adolescent siblings by describing their coping strategies, relationship networks, well-being, and life orientation. A secondary aim is to test a health promotion model by examining the association of coping, well-being and support to the severity of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the adolescent’s ability to manage tension.

Sponsored by the University of Florida, the study requires 50 participants who are recruited by convenient sampling strategies. Data from the study will be used to develop a family assessment tool that can be used for promoting health family environments and future intervention studies.

Participants Needed:

Adolescent siblings aged 11-18 of individuals with a diagnosis of autism, Asperger syndrome, or PDD-NOS
One parent or legal guardian of the adolescent
Ability to read and write English

Time Commitment:

Two parent questionnaires and four self-report questionnaires to be completed by adolescent
Approximately one hour is necessary to complete surveys

Compensation:

A gift card for $20.00 will be given to siblings who return surveys

For more information:

Laura O. Smith, MS, ARNP
Phone: 727-641-3890
Email: lauraosmith1@verizon.net

Any State - Posted 2/10/11

Diagnosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Survey of Parents’ Experience

Florida State University
Survey Participants Needed

Principal Investigator: Erin Lundblom
Other Investigators: Laura Mueller and Eric Stein
With Funding From: Florida State University

This study will investigate the experience of parents in obtaining and receiving a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism, PDD, Asperger) or related disability for their child. The purpose of this research is to determine parental satisfaction with the diagnostic process and how this relates to the age children are being diagnosed. The results of this research will enable us to educate and inform parents, physicians, and other professionals on this topic, in order to provide the earliest and best clinical service to families who receive this diagnosis for their child.

Participants Needed:

Parent or caretaker of a child with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum disorder can take this survey.

Time Commitment:

Once, 10 minutes

Survey Link:

http://surveys.cci.fsu.edu/takesurvey.asp?surveyid=3L27956J6M25G

For more information:

Laura Mueller
Phone: 630-940-5715
Email: Lam09c@fsu.edu

Any State - Posted 4/18/09

Autism, Health Care, and Public Policy

Washington State University Vancouver
Survey Participants Needed

Principal Investigator: Dana Lee Baker, PhD.

This project involves gathering information using this survey and will look into the experiences of families with children with autism with health care systems. The data will be collected for analysis and may be published. The purpose of this study is to collect data on the relationship between autism and experiences with health care systems. The information gathered as a result of this survey may contribute to the improvement of services and programs.

The participant will complete the attached survey that asks specific questions about your experiences with autism as related to the public sector. Your participation in this research project will enrich the information base. It will also contribute to our understanding of the ways in which autism might be better addressed by society.

The survey is entirely voluntary and this project does not include any greater risks than those encountered in everyday life. You may refuse to answer any question or choose to withdraw from participation at any time without any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

Participants Needed:

You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. You may be a citizen of any state to respond.

Visits:

None. The survey should take approximately 25-30 minutes to complete.

Compensation:

If you wish, you can be entered to win $50, $100 and $200 gift certificates from Amazon.com upon completion of the survey (odds of winning depends on the number of respondents).

For more information:

If you have any questions or to get more information about the study, please do not hesitate to contact:
Dr. Dana Baker
(360) 546-9125

For general questions related to participation in Washington State University research projects, you can also contact:
Campus Institutional Review Board
(509)335-9661.

Any State - Posted 6/22/09

Autism Cry Study: A research study about the early signs of autism

Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk
A collaboration between Women & Infants Hospital and
Brown University/Alpert Medical School

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sheinkopf, Ph.D.
Other Investigators: Barry Lester, Ph.D., Director
With Funding from the NIH

We are studying how babies cry and whether the way a baby cries is an early sign or autism. This study compares cries of children with typical development with those who have autism. We are seeking home videos/DVDs of children six months or younger. No diagnosis of autism during this time frame is required to participate in the study. If you have videos/DVDs of your child crying or fussing when he/she was a baby, you may be eligible to participate.

The Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk is committed to excellence in research and clinical services for at-risk children.

http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Children_at_Risk/Home.htm

Participants Needed:

Seeking families across the United States.

Visits:

Participate from home

For more information, please contact:
Gabrielle DeFusco
Senior Research Assistant
Email: WHAutism@carene.org
Phone: (401) 276-7858

Any State - Posted 10/09/05

Genetic Studies in Autism and Related Disorders

Principal Investigator: James S. Sutcliffe PhD
Other Investigators: Jonathan L. Haines, PhD

The Center for Human Genetics Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is conducting genetic research studies on autism spectrum disorders. If your family has one or more members with autism age 21 or younger, your family may be eligible for the study. A family history interview will be conducted by telephone. Medical information from medical records will be reviewed relating to the diagnosis of autism. Several diagnostic interviews will be completed; these may be conducted over the phone or in person. Also, a blood sample will be obtained from the individual(s) with autism, their parents, and siblings. There is no cost to take part, and travel to Vanderbilt University Medical Center is not required. See http://chgr.mc.vanderbilt.edu/page/autism-spectrum-disorders for more information.

Participants Needed:

Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders 4-21 years old

For more information, please contact:
Genea Crockett
(615) 343-5855
or Sharlet Anderson
(615) 343-67400

Any State - Posted 2/19/04

Genetics of Autism and Related Pervasive Developmental Disorders Research Study

Dr. Margaret Bauman and a research study team at LADDERS have joined the Autism Spectrum Disorders Canadian-American Research Consortium (ASD-CARC) in a multi-site study. The purpose of this study is to identify the genes important in the etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We are particularly interested in studying the genes in families and are looking for families with one or more members with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. We anticipate a maximum time commitment for participants in the research study of four hours to complete aspects of the study including standardized questionnaires as well as providing saliva specimens and cheek swabs. Although you and your family will not benefit directly from this study, we hope to identify the genes involved in the etiology of autism allowing for the earliest possible diagnosis, and therefore intervention, to achieve the best possible outcomes for each individual with autism and related pervasive developmental disorders.

For more information, contact:
Margaret Bauman, MD; Tom Maloney, RN, MSN; or Kay Murray, RN, BSN at LADDERS
Phone: 781.449.6074 x311
Email: kmurray8@partners.org
Web: www.autismresearch.ca

Canada - Posted 12/15/03; revised 12/22/03; revised 6/14/05

Early Identification of Autism and Other Developmental Problems

Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics, George Washington University

Stuart G. Shanker, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Psychology, York University, Toronto Canada

Lisa Bayrami, Ph.D., candidate and program coordinator, York University, Toronto,Canada

We are in the process of applying a newly developed simple and effective monitoring technique that will enable practitioners to identify when infants as young as 2 months old are at risk of ASD. An early indicator for which there is support in the literature is impairment in motor control, which includes dysfunction in the regulation of facial muscles and bodily reactions. Our monitoring technique combines these indicators along with social-emotional indicators in a novel, clinically and theoretically meaningful way that has very strong promise of producing a potent indicator of the early signs of the developmental processes leading to ASDs. The study will look at these factors in 2 to 12 months old infants who were later diagnosed with ASDs as well as typically developing infants. The information we collect from this study will be used in the future to help families who have a young child with an ASD by providing early screening, which will allow for early intervention. As we know, early intervention is vital with respect to developmental outcomes.

Participation in this study will require, in total, a maximum of half an hour of the parents’ time. First, we will provide parents with a brief questionnaire concerning demographic information and child information. In addition, we will collect a videotape(s) of the child, covering the range of 2 to 15 months. We will arrange to have the videotape(s) and questionnaires couriered to us, and we will then make a copy of the videotape(s) and return the original. We will share all research findings with you as well as the parents and continue to keep you informed abut the progress of the study. In addition, we will proudly acknowledge the contribution of your institution in any publications. To thank parents for their participation we would like to offer them a copy of the book “A child with special needs” by Dr. Stanley I. Greenspan and Dr. Serena Weider as well as a one-hour video, which is a summary of the floor Time technique-training videos.

For more information, contact:
Stuart Shanker
Phone: 416.736.2100 x 22157
Email: mehri@yorku.ca

Lisa Bayrami, program coordinator
Phone: 416.736.2100, x 33258
Email: mehri@yorku.ca

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