Who can participate in the research study?
We are recruiting families with a child who is between 18 and 33 months old and has received a provisional diagnosis of autism or an autism spectrum disorder, including pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

	We are currently recruiting invidividuals for a wide range of research programs. Whether typically developing or developmentaly diagnosed, all types of people can be part of our research.

What are the goals of the research studies?
Our study has two main goals:

• To study early development in children with autism
• To learn more about strategies that improve family life for parents raising a young child with autism

Who is conducting the research study?

• Alice S. Carter, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Boston and Helen Tager-Flusberg, Ph.D., Boston University, are the lead researchers, both with extensive experience in the field of autism research.
• Our project staff includes a team of specialists, with backgrounds in child development, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, and special education.

How do families benefit from participating?

• Families who complete the assessments will receive comprehensive written reports that summarize the results of the diagnostic and developmental assessments. These reports can be helpful for educational planning.
• Several times a year, families receive a newsletter with study updates.
• · Help advance our knowledge of development for children with autism and family well-being.

• Results of this study will lead to a better understanding of the development of young children with autism.
• We will also learn more about strategies that can help improve family life when raising a young child with autism.

Will families receive clinical recommendations in the child evaluation?
No. Project staff does not offer clinical recommendations. However, families do receive two written research reports with results of the diagnostic and developmental assessments. We hope that our assessments will help to identify a child's needs so that these can continue to be addressed in her/his intervention programs.

What if my child has difficulty with the testing?

• The activities that children will participate in have been selected and arranged to get the best performance from each child and with consideration of the competencies and challenges that children with autism bring to an evaluation setting.
• The project's highly qualified staff will respond to each child's individual needs during the visit in order to ensure the child and family are comfortable with the assessment and that the child has fun during the visit.
• Parents and caregivers are invited to sit in the room with each child during the evaluation and to share ideas and strategies that will help the child perform at their best and enjoy the activities.

Where do you conduct the study?

• Our offices are located at the Boston University School of Medicine in the South End of Boston. We are easily accessible by car from Routes 93 & 90 and via public transportation.
• Parents who drive to our offices are reimbursed for travel and parking expenses.
• Arrangements can be made on an individual basis for families who use public transportation.

Who supports this study?

• In May 2003, we were awarded a new Autism Research Center of Excellence (part of the Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment/STAART program ), funded by the National Institutes of Health.
• We have also received a letter of support from the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health Program in Early Intervention as well as from the Specialty Provider Programs in Massachusetts.