Family History of Autism Research Study
Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine are evaluating emotional development in early childhood.
Fast Facts
Parent of a Newborn Younger than 4 Months Old
Have a Family Member with Autism
Compensation is Provided
Conducted in New Haven, CT
Study Background
Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine are evaluating emotional development in early childhood.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about emotional development in young children with a family history of autism.
The study offers developmental monitoring by expert clinical psychologists. The visits are interactive, fun, and family-friendly. Many parents find it interesting to hear about their baby’s development from a professional. Also, parents find it rewarding to contribute to research that will help improve the lives of children with autism and their families.
Families receive feedback at the end of the toddler-age visits and have their questions answered. Whenever warranted, a written report of the evaluation results is provided, including recommendations for intervention.
Study Background
Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine are evaluating emotional development in early childhood.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about emotional development in young children with a family history of autism. The study offers developmental monitoring by expert clinical psychologists. The visits are interactive, fun, and family-friendly. Many parents find it interesting to hear about their baby’s development from a professional. Also, parents find it rewarding to contribute to research that will help improve the lives of children with autism and their families. Families receive feedback at the end of the toddler-age visits and have their questions answered. Whenever warranted, a written report of the evaluation results is provided, including recommendations for intervention.
Additional Information
The purpose of this study is to help researchers better understand emotional development in early childhood.
Participants may qualify for this study if they meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Parent of a newborn younger than 4 months old
- Have a family member with autism (e.g., child, parent, sibling)
- Able to attend in-person visits in New Haven, CT over 2 years
- Infant has not been diagnosed with seizure disorder (e.g., epilepsy, infantile spasms)
- Infant was born at 37 weeks or further along
- Infant has not been diagnosed with hearing loss or visual impairment
- Infant has not been diagnosed with an identified chromosomal abnormality (e.g., Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Turner syndrome)
- Not exposed to illicit drugs during pregnancy (e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine)
- No schizophrenia or bipolar disorder diagnosis among first-degree relatives (parent, sibling)
This study aims to explore the emotional development of infants with a family history of autism through five in-person visits over the course of two years, spaced over infancy and toddlerhood.
Conducted by expert clinical psychologists, these interactive and family-friendly visits offer parents insights into their baby’s development and the opportunity to contribute to autism research. Parents receive feedback and written reports with intervention recommendations, fostering both understanding and support for families navigating early childhood development.
The first visit takes place when the infant is 4 months old followed by visits at age 8, 12, 18, and 30 months. Each visit is in-person and lasts 2-4 hours.
Compensation is provided up to $350 for your participation.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study. Free and convenient parking is provided.
