Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Study
Researchers at The George Washington University are partnering with teens diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder to learn more about the different ways ASD can present. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
diagnosed with autism
ages 13-17
Compensation Provided
Conducted in fairfax, VA
Study Background
The hardest part of improving diagnosis and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is that ASD can appear many different ways in different people. Traditional assessments of ASD symptoms fall short of capturing this diversity. In this project, we hope to observe more subtle differences in the social behavior and underlying brain mechanisms of a variety of autistic teens.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve support recommendations for autistic teens. Advance research today and join our compensated study!
Study Background
The hardest part of improving diagnosis and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is that ASD can appear many different ways in different people. Traditional assessments of ASD symptoms fall short of capturing this diversity. In this project, we hope to observe more subtle differences in the social behavior and underlying brain mechanisms of a variety of autistic teens.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve support recommendations for autistic teens. Advance research today and join our compensated study!
Additional Information
You or your teen may be eligible to participate in this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
- 13-17 years old
- Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- No metal in the body (for MRI scan)
- Speak English
- In good physical health
- No sensory or motor impairment or current psychiatric illness
- Not taking any medications that affect brain activity or blood flow, except those prescribed to treat specific symptoms
- No neurological disease or history of serious head injury
- No usage of medications specifically designed to prevent or control seizures
- Have not experienced a seizure within the last 12 months
Visit 1: Online
Eligible participants and their parents will be invited to complete a 1 hour long online survey. This survey will have some questions for parents about their teen’s behavior and demographics, and some questions for teens to answer about themselves.
Visit 2: In-Person
The first in-person study visit will take place at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. It includes:
- consent process (10-15 min).
- “mock” MRI scan
- short cognitive test (45-60min.) which will consist of answering verbal questions and completing puzzles
- 45 minute long MRI scan
- 20 minute long survey about pictures they saw while in the MRI
Parents will be asked to fill out two short surveys about their child during this visit. The total time for this visit will be around 2.5 hours.
Visit 3: In-Person
This visit will also take place at George Mason University. It includes:
- consent
- two short cognitive tests (45-60 min. total) that will include answering questions, spelling words and doing math problems
- another 45 minute long MRI scan
- 20 minute long survey about pictures they saw while in the MRI
Visit 4: In-Person
Some participants will complete an approximately 2 hour long diagnostic assessment with a clinical psychologist at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. This assessment will require both parent and teen involvement. This will be omitted for participants who received a diagnosis of ASD through Children’s National Hospital within a designated time frame, or who received a diagnosis from another institution and meet the DSM-V criteria for ASD based on a clinician evaluation.
