Fast Facts
Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Compensation
provided
Conducted in
Los Angeles, CA
Additional Information
Your child may be eligible for this study if they meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Child is between the ages of 8–12
- Child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Child is fully verbal
- Child speaks English only or both English and Spanish
- Able to attend in-person study visits at UCLA
Exclusion Criteria:
- Child has an intellectual disability
- Child has metal implants or other contraindications for MRI (e.g., pacemaker, certain metal devices)
- Child experiences severe claustrophobia that would prevent completing an MRI scan
Overall Duration
This study may last up to 5 years if families choose to return for follow-up visits. There are up to 3 time points, each about 1.5 years apart, with 2 visits at each time point (up to 6 visits total).
In-Lab Activities
At each time point, your child will complete two in-person visits at University of California, Los Angeles.
- Visit 1 (about 3 hours): Your child will complete thinking and learning activities, including computer tasks, written and verbal tests, and games that measure skills like memory, language, and problem-solving. You will also complete questionnaires about your child’s development, behavior, and home environment.
- Visit 2 (about 3 hours): Your child will complete an MRI brain scan. The scan takes about 45 minutes total and may include short breaks. Your child can stop at any time if they feel uncomfortable.
No blood draws are involved. Some tasks and sessions may be recorded for research purposes, but all information will be kept private.
Compensation
Participants may receive up to $300 total for completing all study time points. Compensation is provided per time point ($25 for Visit 1 and $75 for Visit 2). Participants will also receive a summary of their child’s assessment results and a picture of their child’s brain scan. Parking costs at UCLA will be covered.
Perks & Additional Support
Complimentary snacks will be provided for children and families during study visits. Children may also choose a prize from a toy box after completing their MRI scan.
There is no cost for your participation in our research study.