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The Sibling Study
The Sibling Study follows siblings of autistic children in order to identify early diagnostic markers for autism spectrum disorders. The siblings are evaluated at 6 and 14 months and each year from ages 2 through 8. Visits range from 2.5 to 5 hours long and consist of a battery of developmental scales evaluating cognitive, communication, and social skills. In addition, information is collected about parent/child interactions, social, and play activities. The evaluations range from more formal interactions completed at the table to observations of play behavior. This is a multi-site study with locations at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Miami, and the LADDERS program in Boston. Dr. Margaret Bauman is the principal investigator for the Boston site.
Enrollment for this study is closed but please contact Myrill Solaski at 781-449-6074 x1245 or msolaski@partners.org with any questions.
Predictors Of Response To Early Intervention Therapy
Is your child’s age between 26 months and 32 months?
Does your child have a diagnosis of Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder or PDD?
Are you concerned that your child has Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder or PDD?
LADDERS (Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services) clinic in Wellesley is enrolling for a clinical research project looking at the predictive factors associated with a positive or non-positive response to Early Intervention in children with ASD younger than 3 years.
Your child will receive an evaluation by a developmental pediatrician and be followed for 2 years with regular evaluations every 6 months. These evaluations are considered part of the child’s routine and follow-up care at LADDERS.
During this time, you will be asked to make a total of 5 visits including the initial visit, with your child. Each visit is around 2-2 and a half hours long. The assessments being completed throughout this research study will include an interval medical history and physical exam, details of your child’s services and comprehensive measures that will focus on your child’s development in the areas of:
• Cognition and thinking processes
• Speech and language
• Autism symptomatology
• Psycho-social development
• Play and problem solving skills
• Family quality of life
Your child will have videotaped playbased interactions on all the visits.
A short written report will be provided to you at each visit. Medical work-up will be recommended as is routine care at LADDERS and referrals made appropriately if needed.
If you are interested, please call: LADDERS: Ellen Roth, MSW, Monday –Thursday between the hours of 10:30 am-5:00 pm at 781-449-6074 x 1231
The Autism Research Foundation
The Autism Research Foundation is a group of bright and curious researchers investigating the neurobiological underpinnings of autism & related disorders. Realizing that research cannot occur in a void, this site is dedicated to presenting all the information that comes in or out of this organization, hoping to reach out to those who would like to learn more, in many capacities, about these brain disorders.
For more information, please visit http://www.ladders.org/pages/TARF.html
