Autism Research Study
Join the SIMONS-MIT study to help us learn more about how children with autism respond to the world around them. We’ll observe brain activity in children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder to improve our understanding of how the brain processes sensory information.
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children 2-11
Years Old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Brookline, MA
Study Background
The Simons-MIT project is studying sensory processing and prediction in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Many children with autism have high or low sensitivity to sensory input (e.g., bright lights, loud sounds). When hearing loud sounds, some autistic children may cover their ears or scream to drown out the sound. Some other children with autism may fail to respond to loud sounds. We are trying to study the reason for this difference by recruiting children 2 – 11 years old to participate in a research study.
Your participation would involve one single visit to our lab at 2 Brookline Place. It will take about one to two hours. During the study, your child will wear a cap to record brain signals while listening to sound or watching a little video. The parent or guardian will fill out questionnaires about the child’s medical history, sensory profile, and social communication.
Study Background
The Simons-MIT project is studying sensory processing and prediction in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Many children with autism have high or low sensitivity to sensory input (e.g., bright lights, loud sounds). When hearing loud sounds, some children with autism may cover their ears or scream to drown out the sound. Some other autistic children may fail to respond to loud sounds. We are trying to study the reason for this difference by recruiting children 2 – 11 years old to participate in a research study.
Your participation would involve one single visit to our lab at 2 Brookline Place. It will take about one to two hours. During the study, your child will wear a cap to record brain signals while listening to sound or watching a little video. The parent or guardian will fill out questionnaires about the child’s medical history, sensory profile, and social communication.
Additional Information
The primary goal of this study is to investigate the difference in brain activity, while resting, watching a video, or listening to sounds, between children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. Findings of this study will improve our understanding of the how the brain processes sounds and other senses, especially in regards to high and low sensitivity to sounds.
Your child may qualify for the study if they meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 2-11 years old
- Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Able to commute to Brookline, MA for a 1-2 hour study visit (travel reimbursement available)
If interested in participating, a caregiver completes a short screening call and standardized surveys about their child’s communication ability and sensory profile. Your child then comes into our lab for a 1–2-hour visit and wears an EEG cap while watching videos and listening to sounds.
Overview of Study Visits:
- One single in-person visit at 2 Brookline Place at Boston Children’s Hospital
- Each visit includes parent questionnaires that will evaluate your child’s sensory profile and social communication and responsiveness. In addition, we will measure your child’s brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG).
- EEG is a safe and radiation-free way to measure brain activity in response to different sounds and/or pictures. The EEG used in this study is different than clinical EEG used to detect seizures; it is quick to apply and soft with slightly wet circular sponges that touch your child’s hair and scalp.
You can receive up to $40 for your time and effort, and ride-share options and/or reimbursement for transportation costs.
There is no cost for your child to participate in our research study.
Site Location
2 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA
