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Who can participate in the research study?
Unfortunately, we are no longer enrolling new families in this study.
Our current participant families enrolled in our study because they
had a toddler aged 18 to 33 months diagnosed with an autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) at the beginning of enrollment. We will continue to
follow currently enrolled families this year.
What are the goals of the research study?
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.
What will we learn from this study?
- 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 an 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.
For more information about this study
please contact Kristin
Dame
kdame@bu.edu |
