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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.
We invite researchers and others to email First
Signs at info@firstsigns.org with
information on studies related to early identification of autism and other
developmental disorders; in particular, those who are working on validating new
screening tools, who are working to identify early developmental milestones,
and/or who wish to collect data on their studies with our assistance.
First Signs is not responsible for these studies.
United States
Canada
California - Posted 1/02/07; revised 4/18/07
Neural & Behavioral Indicators of Autism
Principal Investigator: Karen Dobkins, Ph.D., UCSD Infant Vision Lab
Other Investigators: Leslie Carver, Ph.D., UCSD Social 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 behavioral studies of
social and communicative development through 36-months 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:
- 1-18-Month old infants with an older sibling who has a diagnosis of autism, PDD-NOS, or Asperger's syndrome.
Visits:
Compensation:
- 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
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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
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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.
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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
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Iowa - 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
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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.
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Massachusetts - Posted 7/16/07
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 18 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:
- 4 visits (one at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18
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:
Annmarie Zuluaga
Phone: 617-414-2348
Email: babysibs@bu.edu
Web:
http://www.bu.edu/autism
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 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.
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to top
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.
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New Jersey - 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
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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
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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
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Tennessee - Posted 7/20/06
Adult Siblings of Individuals with
Disabilities Research
Principal Investigator: Robert
Hodapp PhD
Other Investigators: Richard C Urbano, PhD Ann Kaiser, PhD On
behalf of the National Sibling Consortium and the Vanderbilt
Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development
We know surprisingly little about
the relationship between individuals with disabilities and their
adult siblings. To better understand this long-lasting
relationship, we have created the “Adult Sibling Questionnaire”
for anyone age 18 or over with a sister or brother with
disabilities. The Adult Sibling Questionnaire has questions in
the following general areas: · You · Your Sibling with
Disabilities · Your Family · Joint Activities and Involvement ·
Support Needs of Brother/Sister · Your Health and Well-Being ·
Reflections on Your Relationship with your Brother/Sister. The
questionnaire should take 20-25 minutes to complete, all answers
are anonymous, and participation is voluntary. A summary of the
results of the questionnaire will be provided to those who
request it. In addition, the findings will be presented at the
2006 ARC National Conference in San Diego, and in ARC and other
publications and scientific journals.
Participants Needed:
- If you are 18 years of age or older and have a brother
or sister with disabilities, please participate!
Visits:
Compensation:
For more information, please contact:
The online version of the questionnaire is at
https://kc.vanderbilt.edu/FamilyResearch
. Paper copies are also available. Call or email your contact
information (Name, Address, City, State, Zip) to:
Family
Research Phone: 1.888.322.5339 [free] or
Email: FamilyResearch@vanderbilt.edu
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Tennessee - Posted 7/20/06
Emotion Research Study for Children
and Adolescents
Principal Investigator: Wendy L.
Stone PhD
Other Investigators: Dr. Sarkar
We are asking 8 to 17 year olds with at
least average language understanding to participate in this
study of the body’s responses during emotions. We want to have a
better understanding of the body’s emotion-related responses.
This study looks at bodily responses to learn about how people
are feeling. For example, if a person is working on a problem
and starts feeling angry, we would pick up on that anger by
analyzing things like the person’s heart rate, body temperature,
muscle contractions, etc. Studies with adults have shown that we
can use these responses to improve computer-based tutors or
interventions. During several sessions we will measure the
volunteer’s body responses while he or she performs a
computer-based task or plays games with a robot. We will record
the sessions that include the computer or robot. All the body
response measures are recorded using small, safe, stick-on
sensors.
Participants Needed:
- 13-17 year olds with typical development 13-17 year olds
with autism who are considered high functioning
Visits:
Compensation:
- $10 gift certificate per session and $20 gift
certificate for completion
For more information, please contact:
Karla Conn
Phone: (615) 343-6472 or
Email:
karla.g.conn@vanderbilt.edu
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Tennessee - Posted 7/20/06
Improving Joint Attention in Young
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Principal Investigator: Wendy L.
Stone PhD
We are looking for children between the ages
of 24 and 47 months to participate in a new research project
that will examine the potential benefits of an intervention
designed to improve joint attention skills in young children
with Autism or PDD-NOS. The ability to follow the direction of
gaze and pointing gestures of other people (i.e., respond to
joint attention) has been shown to be important for learning
language as well as for deriving benefits from language
intervention. However, children with autism often have impaired
joint attention skills. This research project will evaluate the
effectiveness of a brief intervention designed to improve
responding to joint attention skills in young children with
autism. Participation in this study involves 3-7 visits to
Vanderbilt over a four month period.
Participants Needed:
- Children between the ages of 24 and 47 months with
autism or PDD-NOS
Visits:
Compensation:
- $25 check for the first visit and $100 check after the
follow up visit (if eligible)
For more information, please contact:
Karla Conn
Phone: (615) 343-6472 or
Email: karla.g.conn@vanderbilt.edu
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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 21
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
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Tennessee - Posted 10/9/05
Attention and Memory Development in
the First Year of Life in Siblings of Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Principal
Investigator:
Julia S. Noland PhD
Other Investigators: Wendy Stone, Ph.D., and Tedra Walden, Ph.D.
We are looking for younger siblings of
children with autism to participate in research being conducted
at
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research in Human Development
at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. This project is
designed to understand the relationship between early attention
and early social development. Two visits 4 months apart are
expected.
Participants Needed:
- Siblings of children with autism, ages 5 months to 10
months
Visits:
Compensation:
- $50 savings bond per visit
For more
information, please contact:
Maternal and Infant Health Study Office
(615) 343-3293
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Tennessee - Posted 10/9/05
Early Social Development in Autism
Principal
Investigator:
Wendy L. Stone PhD
Other Investigators: Tedra Walden, Ph.D., Paul Yoder, Ph.D.
The
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research in Human Development
at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN continues its research
project examining the development of social orienting in
children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or PDD-NOS
(Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified). We
are inviting younger siblings of children with autism or PDD-NOS
who are between the ages of 12 and 23 months, and children
between 30 and 35 months old with developmental delay.
Siblings will receive 5 evaluations over the course of 1.5
years. Evaluations will last between 1 and 4 hours and include
cognitive/developmental testing, language testing, diagnostic
screening, and assessments of social and communicative behavior.
Participants Needed:
- Siblings-ASD 12-23 months, DD 30-35 months
For more
information, please contact:
Justin Lane or Holly Breece
Justin.Lane@Vanderbilt.edu
(615) 936-0265
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Tennessee - Posted 10/9/05
Measuring Young Children's
Comprehension with a Computer Task
Principal
Investigator:
Paul J. Yoder PhD
Today's children are familiar with
computers. We are interested in measuring children's language
comprehension using a familiar setting, the computer task
(Computerized Comprehension Test, or CCT). Children will be
asked to respond to words by touching the computer screen during
their visit. Children will be given a play-based measure of
development as well. This research is being conducted at
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research in Human Development
at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.
Participants Needed:
- Children between 18 and 60 months, who have
developmental disabilities, including autism, or who are
suspected of having delays.
Visits:
Compensation:
For more
information, please contact:
Monica Smith, Project Director
monica.e.smith@vanderbilt.edu
(615) 322-8276
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Tennessee - Posted 10/9/05
The Developmental Process of How
Children with Autism and Typically Developing Children See the
World around Them
Principal
Investigator:
Wendy L. Stone PhD
Other Investigators: Shannon Morgan, PhD
Does your child like to play computer games?
If your child is between 2 and 7 years old, has autism OR is
typically developing, then your child may be eligible to
participate.
Participants Needed:
- children with autism between 2 and 7 years old
- typically developing children between 2 and 7 years old
Visits:
For more
information, please contact:
Shannon Morgan
shannon.morgan@vanderbilt.edu
(615) 936-6607
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Tennessee - Posted 10/9/05
Sleep in Children with Autism
Principal
Investigator:
Beth Malow MD, MS
Other Investigators: Wendy Stone, Ph.D., Mark Harvey, M.D., Susan McGrew,
M.D., and Lynnette Henderson, Ph.D.
Not having quality sleep can affect how a
child behaves. This sleep research being conducted at
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research in Human Development
at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. compares sleep
patterns in children with autism or PDD-NOS (Pervasive
Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified) and typically
developing children. The study has 4 stages. Only some children
who complete each stage will be asked to take part in the next
stage. Stage 1: Complete 3 surveys about sleep and behavior.
Some will be asked to visit the campus for Stage 2: Research
evaluation of sleep concerns, autism diagnosis, and an
assessment of language comprehension. Some may be asked to take
part in Stage 3, a home sleep study. Some who are comfortable
with a home sleep study will be asked to take part in Stage 4, a
sleep laboratory study. Compensation will be provided to
families who complete stages 2 through 4.
Participants Needed:
- Children 4-10 years, without autism spectrum disorders
who take no daily medications
- Children 4-10 years, with autism spectrum disorders who
take no daily medications
For more
information, please contact:
Lynnette Henderson, Ph.D.
Lynnette.Henderson@Vanderbilt.edu
(615) 936-0448
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Any State - Posted 7/16/07
Promoting Understanding and Awareness
of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Schools
Principal Investigator: Cynthia Baker, Ph.D.
Danya International, Inc. (Danya), has
developed Autism Classroom Connections (ACC), a video-based
presentation to educate the classmates of children with autism,
high-functioning autism, and Asperger Syndrome. The goal of the
ACC program is to foster the social inclusion of children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by increasing knowledge and
positive attitudes/behaviors of their general education
classmates. Participation in the study involves the ACC video
and accompanying activities being conducted in the child with
ASD’s general education classroom. The parent and the general
education teacher of the child with ASD will also fill out two
sets of questionnaires each. Please visit our website at
www.danya.com/autismvision.asp for further details.
Participants Needed:
- Children and teens with autism (ages 8–15) who attend a
general education class that meets at least twice a week
- Children with high-functioning autism or Asperger
Syndrome (ages 8–11) who attend a general education class
that meets at least twice a week
Compensation:
- Video presenters will receive $100.
- Parents and teachers will receive $25 for each set of
questionnaires they complete (a total of $50 each person).
For more
information, please contact:
Diana Lai
Phone: 240-645-1060
Email: accinfo@danya.com
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Any State - Posted 10/9/05
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
www.autismgenes.org 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) 343-6740
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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
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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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Canada - 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
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