Autism Spectrum Reseach Studies

Neurocircuitry of Developmental Differences in Social and Repetitive Behaviors: MRI, fMRI and TMS Studies

Purpose: This study uses functional brain imaging and noninvasive brain stimulation techniques to study the brain basis of developmental disorders. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to study the neurocircuitry of certain symptom clusters in developmental disorders.

Study Design:Subjects with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified will be compared to healthy controls using a panel of neuropsychological tests, fMRI, and TMS. The fMRI paradigm is a passive task requiring the subject to watch a short series of films in the scanner. The form of TMS used in this study is low frequency TMS, which is minimal risk.

Volunteers should be between the ages of 18 - 35 and will receive a compensation of $15/hour plus $15 per procedure.

For more information, please contact:

Alexandra L Sporn, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Division of Brain Stimulation and Therapeutic Modulation
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
New York State Psychiatric Institute
1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 21
New York, NY 10032

Office: 212-543-5647
Fax: 212-543-4284
Email: BBClinic@columbia.edu

IRB protocol #5438

TO: Parents of children in grades 4 - 8 with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (children do NOT have to stutter or have any fluency issues to participate, but if they do, that is okay as well)

FROM: Kathleen Scaler Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP, BRS/M-FD, Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Recognized Specialist in Fluency Disorders

RE: Evaluation at no charge (beneficial for any child with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome)

Kathy Scaler Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP, BRS/M-FD is a speech-language pathologist, certified teacher of the handicapped, and certified elementary school teacher. Ms. Scaler Scott has evaluated and treated children of all ages with Asperger's Syndrome in individual and group settings throughout NJ for over 14 years. She has provided conferences and trainings for teachers and speech-language pathologists working with children with social communication issues. It was her work with children with Asperger's Syndrome that inspired Ms. Scaler Scott to pursue her doctorate, so that she could learn to research their communication skills and work toward developing effective speech treatments. Ms. Scaler Scott began her doctoral program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005. For her doctoral dissertation, she is examining how children with Asperger's Syndrome and children who stutter get their message across. She hopes to further knowledge about the communication skills of these populations, so that speech-language pathologists can continue to develop effective treatments.

What is needed from me and my child?

I will meet with your child for a maximum of one hour. I will need one parent or caregiver to fill out a short questionnaire while I am meeting with your child. I will first establish rapport with your child by making some conversation, and explaining what they will be doing. I will then ask your child to describe something, like their house or a sport or hobby, and read two short stories aloud. If the reading is a difficulty for any reason, your child will be asked to describe 2 pictures instead. Your child will then watch a short educational video (about 20 minutes), and afterwards, tell me about what they saw. All study information will be kept strictly confidential.

What are the benefits to me and my child for participating?

Your participation will help us learn more about the communication skills of children with Asperger's Syndrome. This is an area that is greatly in need of research.

In appreciation for your time and participation in this study, Ms. Scaler Scott will write a report regarding your child's fluency skills. Many children with Asperger's Syndrome may be quite verbal, and may score in the average range or above on language testing, but still have difficulty expressing themselves effectively. Their speech may be difficult to follow because they may: stop and start frequently, repeat and revise what they are saying (ex. "That girl is the oldest, no she's the first, she's the oldest, the oldest, the first person born in my class."), not provide enough background information, and/or use a lot of filler words (ex. "um," "uh," "well," "so"). Although they often do not have a stuttering problem, these other speech characteristics affect how fluently and effectively they communicate their message. This report addresses effective communication skills overall. It is not a full speech and language evaluation. However, it is an important component of an evaluation of the communication skills of a child with Asperger's Syndrome that may provide recommendations for additional IEP accommodations (such as ways of responding to foster more fluent communication). Ms. Scaler Scott has a wealth of experience, and will be happy to speak with you about your child's communication skills overall.

For more information about this project, please contact:

Kathleen Scaler Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP, BRS/M-FD
Phone: 908-303-7198
Email: scalerscott1@earthlink.net

This study has been approved by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Institutional Review Board, and has been found to meet the ethical standards for research with children.

IRB # 00001474, approved through 10/16/08

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

The purpose of this research is to find out how young people with Asperger Syndrome (A.S) and others view their social interactions and skills. Your child may be in this study if they have been diagnosed with AS and are between the ages of 10 - 17.

If you and your child decide to take part in this study, you will both be asked to complete separate questionnaires. Your child will also be asked to complete a one-on-one interview with me. The study will be held at your home in 2 sessions each taking about 45 minutes and will require a total of 90 minutes of you and your child's time. When the study is completed, you and your child will be paid with a $10.00 Barnes and Noble gift card for taking part.

I would like to audiotape your child's interview for the purpose of later transcription and analysis.

For more information about this project, please contact:

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia, PA

Shawn Dolan
Phone: 610-529-0644
Email: dolanshawn@hotmail.com

Dr. Daniel Ingram
Phone: 215-871-6947

Protocol number H07-031

Research Survey for University at Buffalo

I am posing this message to ask for potential participants who would consider helping me to conduct a research in understanding the psychosocial adjustment of the family member raising/having a child with Asperger's Syndrome.

Participation in this study involves completion of a set of online questionnaires that will take up to 1.5 hours to complete. The content is to understand stress, resources, coping, and personal strengths in relation to your own mental wellness.

For more information about this project, please contact:

University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Gloria Lee, educator/psychologist
Phone: 716-645 2484 x1068
Email: glee4@buffalo.edu

IRB number 2336

Understanding Sexuality and Relationships of Adults with High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

Do You Have High-Functioning Autism, Asperger's Disorder, or PDD-NOS?

Are you between the ages of 21 - 65?

Are your cognitive abilities within the low average to above average range?

Would you be interested in learning more about yourself and how you feel about relationships and sexuality?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you are eligible to participate in a research study being conducted by researchers at the North-Shore-LIJ Center for Autism and the University of New Brunswick.

The purpose of this study is to better understand sexuality and relationships of adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The information collected from the study may increase knowledge of how best to help teens and adults with ASDs experience healthy sexual development.

Participation in this study involves completion of a set of online questionnaires at www.unbstudy.com that will take between 45 minutes and 1¼ hours to complete.

For more information about this project, please contact:

Shana Nichols, Ph.D., Psychologist
Phone: 516-802-8600

Sandra Byers, Ph.D., Psychologist
Phone: 506-458-7697

IRB number 07.04.051

Study of Speech Treatment for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Who Do Not Talk Yet

Purpose: We at the Yale Child Study Center are conducting a research project for children with ASD who are between three and six years of age and not yet talking. We are looking for children in this age range who say fewer than 10 words. We will be contrasting two different treatment programs, one that uses very structured discrete trial methods, and one that is more naturalistic. In order to study these treatments most effectively, we will need to assign children to treatments randomly. That means that you will not be able to choose which treatment your child gets, or to change the treatment group to which s/he is assigned. Both treatments will be delivered individually for 12 weeks, with three 45 min. sessions per week by a specially trained speech-language pathologist. No matter which treatment your child receives, we will ask all families to participate in parent training also. This training will help you carry over the treatment once the 12 weeks are over. We will also ask you to bring your child back six months after treatment ends so we can see whether the effects of the treatment have lasted over time.

Criteria for Participation:

• Children with a diagnosis of ASD
• Ages 3 and 6 years
• Uses fewer than 10 words
• Must be able to attend treatment sessions at Yale Child Study Center 3x/week for 12 weeks
• At least one parent must be able to participate in 9 evening parent training sessions

Elizabeth Schoen, M.S. CCC-SLP
Phone: 203-737-1267
Email: elizabeth.schoen@yale.edu

Moira Lewis, M.S. CCC-SLP
Phone: 203-764-7490
Email: moira.lewis@yale.edu

HIC# 0612002071

Seaver & New York Autism Center Of Excellence - Child and Adolescent Studies

Brain Glutamate Concentrations in Autistic Adolescents by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) (GCO# 05-0847)

The purpose of this study is to measure the levels of glutamate (a chemical) in the brain of children with autism and compare them to glutamate levels in the brain of typically developing children. It involves a one-time Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy scan.

Cara Settipani
Phone: 212-241-2826

Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria: Study participants must be between the ages of 7-17 without a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric disorder other than autism. Participants should not be on any psychoactive medications.

IRB Approved through 6/30/2008

Seaver & New York Autism Center Of Excellence - Adult Studies

Imaging the Serotonin System in adult subjects with Asperger's Disorder and controls with [11C]MDL 100907 and [11C] DASB (GCO # 01-1295 (2))

A one-day imaging trial involving one Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan and two Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans to examine the serotonin system in individuals with Asperger's Disorder. Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: Study participants must be between the ages of 18-40 without a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric disorder other than autism. If currently taking a psychoactive medication, participants must be willing to taper off that medication under the supervision of the research clinician before starting the study. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are also not eligible.

Jessica Cuellar
Phone: 212-241-2993

IRB Approved through 5/31/2008

Seaver & New York Autism Center Of Excellence - Adult Studies

Intranasal Oxytocin In the Treatment of Autism (GCO #06-0230)

6-week randomized placebo controlled trial to assess the effects of Oxytocin on mood and social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Jessica Cuellar
Phone: 212-241-2993

Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria: Study participants must be between the ages of 18-60 without a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric disorder other than autism. If currently taking a psychoactive medication, participants must be willing to taper off that medication under the supervision of the research clinician before starting the study. Pregnant women are also not eligible.

IRB Approved through 5/8/2008
MSSM IRB approved through 11/1/2007

The Simons Simplex Collection

The Simons Simplex Collection is a bold new initiative to search for the causes of autism. Researchers at eleven sites in North America will collect DNA samples from families with just one child affected by an autism spectrum disorder. This valuable data will be available to the best scientific minds in the world to search for clues that will lead to important breakthroughs. The Simons Foundation, a New York-based philanthropic organization, has committed millions of dollars to the Simons Simplex Collection, and other cutting edge autism research.

Eligibility Requirements

• One child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), age five or older,
• One or more siblings without ASD, age four or older, and
• Both biological parents who are willing to participate.

Three Research Components

1. Children with ASD will receive a free behavioral assessment.
2. All family members will donate blood, a source of DNA. The samples will be stored without identifying information to protect the privacy of individuals and families.
3. Families will be contacted for follow-up questions as researchers pursue promising findings.

Columbia University / New York State Psychiatric Institute
Simons Simplex Collection
1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 74
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-543-6705
Email: autismresearch@childpsych.columbia.edu

IRB: Investigations Committee protocol #5302

The public school's role in employment preparation for individuals with Autism

You are invited to participate in a research study. The study is being conducted by Dr. Tom Simmons and Judith S. Marco. The study is sponsored by the University of Louisville, Department of Teaching and Learning. The study will be an internet survey or a hard copy survey. Your participation in this study will last for length of time it takes to complete the survey approximately 10 minutes.

Participants may use the link or request a hard copy, which will be sent to them along with a self-addressed stamped envelope for their convenience.

Website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=284633401755

Tom Simmons
Phone: 502-852-6431

Judith S. Marco, MEd
Special Education Instructional Specialist
13348 Corapeake Terrace
Chesterfield, VA 23838
Phone: 502-396-7104
Email: judith_marco@ccpsnet.net

Are you interested in participating in a focus group concerned with STIGMA?

For research conducted at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, we are currently recruiting people with Asperger's Syndrome and/or their family members and advocates to participate in a focus group designed to increase public awareness of the impact of stigma on the lives of individuals with these conditions. Focus group participants may also have the opportunity to volunteer to participate in follow-up individual interviews.

The focus group will be approximately 2 hours long and will take place on campus at Rutgers University. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to valuable research and to discuss relevant issues with similar individuals. A small gift certificate will be given to participants for their contribution to the research.

If you would like information about the study, or think you might like to participate, please send an email or leave a message with your contact information at 732-932-1171. Of course, getting in touch with us does not commit you to anything.

Jamie Walkup
Associate Professor
Rutgers University
Phone: 732-932-0150
Email: thestigmaproject@yahoo.com

Website: http://gsappweb.rutgers.edu/

This study has been approved by the Rutgers University Institutional Review Board (IRB) as project 06-468.

Seeking Adults with Autism or Asperger's Disorder to Assist with the Development of a Diagnostic Questionnaire

We are developing a questionnaire to identify adults with autism and asperger's disorder. It consists of 78 brief questions that are answered by making a check mark in one of four columns. The questions concern general experiences and attitudes and not personal information. It takes less than one hour to complete, and does not need to be completed at one time.

All information on the questionnaire is coded by a computer and kept strictly confidential. This insures that no one can ever be identified by name or otherwise be recognized.

The California Institutional Review Board, Inc. (www.cpmc.org/professionals/research/irb) and the California Graduate Institute (www.cgi.edu) have approved the questionnaire. All professional, State of California, and Federal Guidelines for protection of human subjects are being followed to assure confidentiality. An "Informed Consent to Participate in Research" to sign will be given to you before you are given the questionnaire.

We prefer to have you fill out the questionnaire when we are present or via an e mail/phone combination so we can answer any questions you might have. We will be glad to arrange to visit you at you convenience or we can meet at our office near UCLA in West Los Angeles. We will reimburse you for any expenses that you have in connection with helping us (transportation, etc.) and a subject fee of ten dollars is available.

There is obviously a great need for an objective questionnaire to assist individuals and professionals in identifying adults with autism and asperger's diagnosis. We thank you in advance for considering to help us in this important project.

Email: eritvo@aol.com
Phone: 310-476-5109

Edward R. Ritvo MD is an internationally recognized medical expert, researcher and pioneer in the field of autism and Asperger's disorder and co-author of the official diagnostic criteria in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Much of what is known about these disorders today is based on his painstaking research and groundbreaking discoveries. In his new book, Understanding the Nature of Autism and Asperger's Disorder, Forty Years of Clinical Practice and Pioneering Research he shares his forty years' experience and opens his extensive UCLA casebook to the reader.

Addendum

Dear Adult Friends With Autism or AS,

We are writing to thank you for helping us in the past to develop a questionnaire (THE RAADS) to assist clinicians in diagnosing autism and Asperger's disorder, to assist us in getting better services for individuals on the ASD and to clarify diagnostic issues.

So far we have given the questionnaire to over fifty adults with autism and Asperger's disorder and fifty without for comparison. The results show that the questionnaire identifies those with autism and Asperger's disorder very clearly. We have reported these results in an article accepted for publication in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, (in press) and will be glad to send you a copy if you wish. Just let us know by phone, fax, or e-mail.

At this time we need you to fill out the questionnaire again. This is a very important part of the research because we need to know if the questionnaire is "reliable" in a scientific way. That means, does it give the same results when you give it a second time as it did the first time. For example, to see if a thermometer is "reliable" you would have to take someone's temperature a second time and compare the temperature it give to the first time to see if it is "reliable."

All the information we need this time is your name, which we will match with you computer coded first test, so please ignore the rest of the questions on the first page of the questionnaire.

We are always be available to answer you questions and offer any advice we can about the questionnaire or whatever else you want to ask us.

We thank you for your past help and for assisting in the "reliability" study by refilling out the questionnaire again.

If you have never taken the questionnaire and are interested in doing so, we are expanding the original study and need new adult individuals with a diagnosis of AS or autism as well.

Best regards,

Ed and Ari Ritvo
Riva Ariella Ritvo PhD
The Yale Child Study Center
Edward Ritvo MD
UCLA School of Medicine
The Ritvo Clinic
Phone: 310-825-0220

Asperger Syndrome Research Projects

From Rhonda Conklin at SPAN

As you may know the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (federal law) makes some changes from the IDEA 1997 including, but not limited to, the following couple examples.

1. The new IDEA eliminates the requirement for short-term objectives or benchmarks.

2. The new IDEA eliminates the requirement to periodically report to parents their child's progress and whether the progress is sufficient to meet the annual goals by the end of the year.

Soon the state will be revising its Special Education Codes. If we voice our concerns we may be able to protect these and other rights in the state's code revision. Please take the time to complete the short survey at the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network.

Autism Research Study

Volunteers are needed for a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research study being run by Dr. Charles Cartwright, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and Dr. Catherine Hanson, Department of Psychology, Rutgers University. The study is taking place in Newark, NJ.

fMRI is a process by which images of the brain are obtained while the person is engaged in some task; these images are analyzed to show which areas of the brain are "activated" during the task. This research study uses the fMRI technique to identify brain activations while the participant looks at pictures of faces and objects. This study will help us better understand the causes of the social difficulties of people with autism spectrum disorders.

The procedure involves lying still in the tube-shaped MRI machine during scanning (approximately one hour), and looking at pictures on a screen. This is painless but may be a bit noisy. The tube is open on both ends but some people may feel claustrophobic. Every effort will be made to minimize discomfort. Before and after the scanning, participants will need to complete an interview and a few questionnaires.

Participants must be ages 18 to 35 and have autism (including Asperger Syndrome and PDD-NOS). They must also have normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing. Anyone who is claustrophobic should not volunteer for this study. People with cardiac pacemakers or metal implants cannot be included. Total participation time is approximately 4 hours. Participants will be paid $50 for completing the interview and questionnaires, and another $50 for the fMRI scanning.

For more information, please contact Dr. Charles Cartwright of The Autism Center at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.

Dr. Charles Cartwright
Phone: 973-972-1611

Website: http://njms.umdnj.edu/departments/psychiatry/research_programs.cfm#Cartwright
Website: http://www.umdnj.edu/autismcenter/ourteam.htm
Website: http://njms.umdnj.edu/

IRB f#0120040117

New Jersey Answers for Autism Survey

Scientists at the New Jersey Medical School are establishing a comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) database.

The New Jersey Answers for Autism Survey asks many questions about the development, functional characteristics and medical status of persons with autism.

The goals of the New Jersey Answers for Autism Survey are to identify possible ASD risk and protective factors, to characterize ASD sub-groups and to develop a scientific understanding of how persons with ASD change over time and in response to interventions. Information arising from the Survey will also be used to inform health and educational professionals and policymakers about the prevalence and distribution of autism and the evolving status and needs of persons and families affected by autism.

If you have a child or family member with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or, if you yourself are such a person, you are asked to join the New Jersey Answers for Autism Survey.

The person with ASD should be a New Jersey resident and diagnosed with any of the following disorders: Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD or PDD-NOS), Fragile X or Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, or be showing autistic tendencies or symptoms.

Participation with the Survey is voluntary and confidential. This research study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the New Jersey Medical School. Completing the New Jersey Answers for Autism Survey questionnaire requires approximately one hour. Annual follow-up with the Survey is requested, but optional.

All Survey materials are available in Spanish also.

To participate in the New Jersey Answers for Autism Survey or to get more information, please call: 888-699-8038 or e-mail autism@umdnj.edu requests and questions.

NIH funded behavioral intervention study

Recruiting families' participation. In return for their participation in a five year study, families will receive considerable in-home behavioral support.

Richard Blumberg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
UMDNJ - Robert Wood-Johnson Medical School
PO Box 2688
New Brunswick, NJ 08903

Phone: 732-235-9302
Fax: 732-235-9330
Website: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter

Adult Asperger Syndrome Study Announcement

This study will examine the preferences of adults (age 20 and older) who have Asperger syndrome. Individuals who participate in the study will be asked about their likes and dislikes, and preferences in their daily lives including home, work, and free time. In addition they will be asked for information about their life history and sensory needs. It is our hope that we will have many participants since this study will be the first of its kind. This study is sponsored by researchers at the University of Kansas.

All information will be gathered by mail using surveys and questionnaires. Participants will be sent questionnaires through the mail with return postage paid envelopes provided for their convenience.

All information will be confidential. Individuals will receive the results of their surveys and questionnaires. If you are 20 years old or older and have Asperger syndrome, please email the researchers at adultasstudy@mail.ku.edu if you are interested in participating in this study.

The Simons Baby-Sibs Project of Social Neuroscience in Infancy

Purpose: To examine the early development of basic social skills in infants. The study will target children that are developing typically as well as children who are experiencing various developmental delays and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We will examine the infants' developmental skills, speech, language, and communication skills, social, motor, and adaptive skills. We will also study the way infants process information about people, recognize faces, and how they attend to speech sounds. This research will lead to the development of new methods to diagnose developmental delays and ASD in infants and toddlers. It will also help us identify key areas for early intervention and new methods of diagnosing delays.

Criteria for participation:

• Newborns with older siblings who were diagnosed with ASD
• Newborns with significant complication of pregnancy or birth
• Newborns without significant complication during pregnancy or birth

Irene Zilber Phone: 203-785-6237 Email: irene.zilber@yale.edu

IRB: Yale Human Investigations Committee protocol #0509000617

Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autism and Asperger's Disorder

Mount Sinai School of Medicine Neuroscience PET Laboratory Research Study. We are looking for individuals with autism and/or Asperger's Disorder (18-45 years old) to participate in a neuroimaging research study.

The purpose of this study is to learn more about which areas of the brain are involved in attention and how they connect with each other. By learning more about the mechanisms of attention, the investigators may help the discovery of new treatments for autism, Asperger's Disorder, and other neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

Your participation will involve three visits to Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The first visit will involve a diagnostic interview to clinically verify your diagnosis. In addition, you will receive a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan on separate days.

If you receive both PET and MRI scans you will receive $200 in reimbursement for your time and expenses. You will receive $100 if you only have one of the scans.

If you are interested in participating in our research study or if you have any questions, please contact Liz LiCalzi.

Liz LiCalzi
Phone: 212-241-6314
Email: elizabeth.licalzi@mssm.edu
Website: http://www.mssm.edu/psychiatry/PETlab.shtml

LDA Social Disabilities Research Project

Yale University
Website: http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/research.html

University of Pittsburgh NIH Study

You are invited to consider participation in ongoing research projects studying how people with autism think and the genetic link to autism. Nancy Minshew, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in autism, is also the Director of the University of Pittsburgh based Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism (CPEA).

Dr. Minshew is collaborating with a team of scientists from Carnegie Mellon University and University of Illinois at Chicago to find the neurological, genetic, and cognitive basis for autism.

Nicole M. Kojkowski
NIH Center of Excellence in Autism Research
University of Pittsburgh
4415 Fifth Avenue
Webster Hall, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-246-5484
Phone: 412-246-5470
Website: http://www.aspennj.org/nihstudy.html

UMDNJ-RWJ Medical School Childhood Autism Study

Children ages 5 - 17 are needed to participate in a 12 week clinical drug study on autism at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Piscataway.

The purpose of the study is to explore treatment options for children with autism. To be eligible, participants must have a diagnosis of autism and participants must be willing to undergo an interview. The interview and questionnaires may take up to four hours to complete. The interview can be completed at the second visit if necessary. Those who qualify will be closely monitored by the study doctor. Medication will be provided at no cost.

We are looking for patients with a diagnosis of autism or PDD-NOS. They also have to be minimally verbal or non-verbal, which would exclude those with Asperger's.

Sherie Novotny, MD, Principal Investigator

For more information call Kurt Bopp, Clinical Research Coordinator, at 732-235-5690.

Transforming Parent-Child Interaction In Family Routines

Recruitment of Families for NIH Behavioral Intervention Study

The study is a five-year NIH funded research project designed to investigate a comprehensive approach to behavior support with families of children with developmental disabilities and problem behavior, within valued family routines. The study will be conducted at the University of British Columbia and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

A collaborative approach, with researchers and parents working together, will be utilized to help improve the behavior of the child, and the quality of life for the family. Support activities will take place in the home and community of the family, and researchers will periodically videotape the problematic routines, as a means of data analysis. Only the researchers will view the videotapes, they will be stored in a secure location, no confidential information will be shared with anyone outside of the research team, and the tapes will be destroyed following the completion of the study.

The research activities will include assessments and support. A comprehensive functional assessment of the problem behaviors will be conducted, along with an assessment of problematic family routines. The researchers will then work with family members to develop positive behavior support plans surrounding the behaviors. They will also provide implementation and follow-up support throughout the study.

Criteria: The study is recruiting families that meet the following criteria:

• Have a child with a formal diagnosis of a developmental disability (mental retardation, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder)
• Focus child is between three and eight years old and lives in a two-parent household
• Both parents / guardians speak English proficiently
• Focus child engages in observable problem behaviors in a minimum of two typical home routines, and two typical community routines, (or three home routines and one community routine)
• Parents do not perceive themselves to be "in crisis" due to the child's behavior or other family problems
• Parents/guardians agree to have an observer videotape child-parent interactions in typical routines in the home and community
• Both mother and father are willing to act as an interventionist with their child
• Family is willing to participate in the study for at least four to five years
• Family is planning to stay in same locale over the next four to five years

Parents interested in participation in this University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey study should contact Rick Blumberg (rick.blumberg@umdnj.edu) at 732-235-9302 or Sharon Lohrmann (sharon.lohrmann@umdnj.edu) at 732-235-9306.

A Biological Basis of Therapy for Negative Symptom Spectrum Disorders: Risperdal Effect on Frontal Metabolism in Asperger's Disorder

Principal Investigator: Jeffrey L. Rausch, MD

Sub-Investigators: Donna L. Londino, MD, Henry Hobby, MD, Jay J. Pillai, M.D., Jerry D. Allison, Ph.D, Tarunendu Dwivedi, M.D.

This is a 12-week study designed to assess the use of risperidone in treating Asperger's disorder in children, adolescents and adults.

All subjects will receive risperidone. Participation involves six clinic visits and two MRI visits. Standardized rating scales are used to assess the impact of risperidone on negative symptoms and social interactions. A MRI will be administered before and after treatment to measure changes in active metabolites in the prefrontal lobe. Medication and study services will be free of charge. Subjects will be reimbursed for travel expenses and compensated for undergoing the MRI.

Abbreviated Research Subject Criteria:

• Physically Healthy, Males and Females, ages 12 and up
• Meet criteria for Asperger's Disorder
• Does not require additional psychotropic medications during the trial
• No history of hypersensitivity or intolerance to risperidone, or history of any severe drug allergy or hypersensitivity (e.g., Steven Johnson's syndrome)

Contact Joan Holloway at 706-721-6585

Medical College of Georgia, Department of Psychiatry & Health Behavior
Website: http://www.mcghealth.org

Asperger Syndrome Research Study

Brenda Smith Myles and her colleagues from the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas are soliciting children and youth between 12 and 18 years old to participate in a study that looks at some unique characteristics of children and youth diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.

If you agree to have your child participate in this study, you, your child, and your child's teacher will be asked to complete some assessment measures. Approximately one hour of your child's time as well as one hour of yours and your child's teacher's time is needed to complete the measures. Parents will also complete an interview over the phone.

Although participation will not directly benefit you, we believe that the information that you provide will be useful in understanding and in designing future interventions that will help individuals with Asperger Syndrome succeed at school, home, and in work environments.

You should be aware that even if you agree to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time. If you agree to have your child participate or if you would like more information feel free to email Dr. Myles at asdresearch@ku.edu.

University of Kansas Department of Special Education
Website: http://www.ku.edu/~sped/

Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Do you get upset when your usual routine is changed or interrupted?
• Do you get very absorbed with a particular hobby or interest?
• Do you find it difficult to relate to others and recognize social signals?
• Have you been diagnosed with high-functioning autism or Asperger's Disorder?

If you answered yes to any of these questions and are between the ages of 18 - 40, you may qualify for a no-cost evaluation with participation in one of the brain imaging studies for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.

You will also be compensated for your participation in a study.

Phone: 212-241-2993
Website: http://www.mssm.edu/psychiatry/autism

(GCO#01-1295), IRB approved through 4/30/08