BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN OUR RESEARCH STUDY

- There is no cost to you for participating in our research studies

- We pay for travel and lodging expenses for out-of-town participants

- You get a gold standard diagnosis and psychological testing report at no cost to you

- Participants may receive up to $375 based upon the number of studies they are eligible to complete

CURRENT STUDIES

We are accepting participants for these studies now through 2007. New studies are added continuously.

I. FINDING THE COGNITIVE AND BRAIN BASIS OF AUTISM

In this study, we want to know how people with autism think and how their brain works. We compare test results with participants who are the same age and gender, but do not have autism. We want to identify differences in cognition and brain function.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS STUDY?

Individuals between the ages of 8 and 55 who:

- Have High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Disorder, or PDD

- Have an I.Q. between 80 and 120

- Are verbal

WHAT WILL I DO AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

- Eligible individuals participate in diagnostic assessments, paper and pencil testing, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), computer tests and an eye movement task

- All tests can be completed in 3 to 5 days

- Evening and weekend appointments are available for most tests.

 

II. FINDING THE GENES FOR AUTISM

This is a national study described in USA Today on January 12, 2004 that provides the maximal chance of finding the genes for autism. The purpose is to investigate the genetic basis of autism by determining the chromosomal location of autism susceptibility gene(s).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS STUDY?

- Families with two or more children at least 3 years old with autism

- Children of any level of severity are eligible

WHAT WILL I DO AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

- Parents of children with autism will complete a diagnostic interview which can be completed over the phone

- Parents of children with autism will complete a social history interview

- Children and parents are asked to provide a blood sample which can be taken at our site or we can provide a kit for you to take to you physician at no cost to you

- Part of the study will involve a diagnostic assessment and paper & pencil testing by researchers from the University of Washington, who will fly to your town.

III. FINDING GENE MARKERS

This study seeks to identify cognitive and biological markers of family members that can be used to find the genes for autism. This study involves parents and siblings of a child with autism of any level of functioning.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS STUDY?

- Parents younger than 55 years of age of a child with autism at least 8 years of age

- Siblings 5 years of age and older of a brother or sister with autism at least 8 years of age

WHAT WILL I DO AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

- Parents and siblings participate in paper and pencil testing as well as computer tests

- Testing should take approximately 4 hours per participant, depending on the number of siblings

- Evening and weekend appointments are available for most tests

- Flexible scheduling - testing does not need to be completed on all family members on the same day


IV. INFANT STUDY

Mothers in their third trimester and infants less than five months of age who have a sibling with autism of any level of severity are eligible for this study. Infants will be followed monthly until 14 months of age and then at 18 months of age in their homes to assess language skills.

(more information)

 

COMPARISON GROUP: BRING A FRIEND

Healthy individuals between 8 and 55 years of age with an I.Q. between 80 and 120 are needed to participate in:

- pencil-paper testing

- functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

- eye movement task

- computer tests

- family history interview

Email us for more information

These studies will run through 2007 with new studies every year! Contact us