The study entails two visits of 3 hours each for a total of 6 hours. All participants will receive compensation for their time ($10-20/hour depending on the task) and a small gift.

We are located on the Emerson campus in downtown Boston, close to public transportation and parking. Free parking is provided.

To learn more about helping us with this study, please contact us by phone at (617) 824-8721 or email us at facelab@emerson.edu

For more information, please email bbcsresearch@gmail.com or call (413) 400-BBCS

Executive function is the ability to manage complex or conflicting information in the service of attaining a goal. It is necessary when conflicting thoughts, feelings, or responses must be resolved or a learned response must be inhibited. Executive functioning skills improve throughout development and encompass a range of interrelated domains, including inhibition, attention regulation, set-shifting and working memory.

Executive function is especially important for children with ASD because, in addition to core ASD symptoms, over half of school-age children with ASD exhibit deficits in executive function in the absence of general intellectual disability. Difficulties can start in childhood and persist throughout adulthood. The ability to manage conflicting information and perspectives underlies important social skills. In particular, the ability to represent the thoughts, beliefs and feelings of others is related to executive function, above and beyond language ability and intelligence.

Eligibility for study participation: 7-11 year olds with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders.

Caregivers will complete 2 screening phone calls and questionnaires about their child. Children will complete 5 visits to Boston Children’s Hospital. During some visits, children will complete EEG, a non-invasive recording of brain activity. Some children will receive 5-10 x 1-hour training visits using game-like computer activities. If your child is not assigned to the training group, he/she may receive training at the end of the study if it is shown to improve executive function. 

For more information, please contact us at gamesproject@childrens.harvard.edu or 617-919-4108.

The study involves one 2-3 hour visit at a UMass Medical School-affiliated site and parents complete a 3-day food record at home.  During the visit children and parents are weighed and measured and parents complete a series of questionnaires on child eating patterns, behaviors, and their own feeding practices.  Parents also receive training on keeping a food record at home to record what their child eats over three days.   Children with intellectual/developmental delays will receive cognitive testing and parents will answer additional questions about children’s developmental, adaptive, and social behavior.

Parents will receive up to $85 compensation in the form of a gift cards; children will receive a $15 gift card for their participation.

See the website at: http://shriver.umassmed.edu/research/health-promotion/childrens-mealtime-study

The main purpose of this study is to compare brain plasticity between people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), people who are intellectually disabled and people who have typical intellectual function. Research suggests that during development the brains of individuals with ASD may change in response to their experiences differently than the brains of typically developing or intellectually disabled individuals.  We want to understand why and how this difference may contribute to the symptoms of ASD.

Brain plasticity is the brain’s ability to change and learn through experience. In this study, we will measure brain plasticity with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

TMS is a noninvasive way of stimulating the brain.  TMS uses a magnetic field to cause activity in the brain.  The magnetic field is produced by a coil that is held next to the scalp.  In this study, we will use TMS to create activity in the brain, and then measure the brain’s response to the activity.

To participate, you must be between the ages of 21-65 and have either:

• A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• An intellectual Disability
• Typical intellectual function

If interested, please contact Gabrielle Block at gblock@bidmc.harvard.edu or at 617-667-0206

Doctor Goodwin is doing this study for the sponsor. An independent ethics committee or institutional review board has approved the study.

About 80 patients ages 3 through adult will take part in this US study.

1. An interface to an autism personal healthcare record (pHR) with tools and technologies tailored to parents and individuals with ASD and their healthcare providers. JAKE is the user interface and Microsoft HealthVault is the pHR.
    
2. Biosensors to assess physiological characteristics and behavior related to core symptoms of ASD.
   a. Biosensors are devices that measure things your body is doing. The sponsor will use this information to try to better understand autism. In this study some biosensors that will be used include measuring your child’s brain activity, tracking where your child’s eyes are looking, checking your child’s heart rate, tracking how much you and your child move, and measuring your child’s skin temperature and how much your child sweats.
    
3. A research data warehouse (RDW) that will hold a portion of the study data without identifying you or your child. The data warehouse can be explored using analytic tools and strategies to track treatment outcomes, assess symptom patterns and subpopulations. It may also be used as a resource for future clinical trials, to develop new analytic software, or to understand and interpret significant biosensor data events. The information stored in the RDW may be shared with external parties not directly affiliated with the Sponsor for the purposes of scientific collaboration and research.

We invite children, teens, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (e.g., autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s) to participate in studies about social cognition.

Where?

Research studies take place inside Building 46 at MIT.   Our building is also home to the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, the Picower Center for Learning and Memory, and the Simons Center for the Social Brain.

When?

Visits can be scheduled at your convenience during the day, in the evening, or on weekends.

What is it like to participate? 

Each study is a little different.  Some studies involve brain imaging, and others involve computer games, puzzles, and questionnaires.  Participants receive $20- $30 per hour for their time, and studies typically take 2 to 4 hours.

Visit our website or to learn more about research studies happening now or contact us to discuss studies that are interesting and comfortable for you.

What are we studying?

The purpose of this research study is to find biological substances (called biomarkers) that correlate to physical and behavioral symptoms seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).   We will measure serotonin and melatonin and examine if they are associated with ASD behavior and physical features.  These biomarkers could help us in the future to guide treatment and identify those at risk for ASD.

Who can participate?

• Children 5—10 years old
• Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

What does the study involve?

The study will take place after a scheduled follow up clinic visit at either of the 5 sites with participating providers. We will need an additional 30-60 minutes after your regular clinic visit for the study. Our research team will complete a questionnaire with you, obtain photos of your child (face, head, hands and feet), a photocopy of your child’s hand, and a blood draw for the serotonin test. You will receive a Bee Visual blood draw learning kit, to help you and your child practice having their blood drawn before the visit, and we ask that you bring your child’s first morning urine of that day to measure melatonin.

Participation includes:

• One visit on the same day as your child’s regular clinic visit
• A behavioral questionnaire
• Physical exam & medical history
• Photocopy of the right hand
• Digital photos (face, head, hands and feet)
• One blood draw and urine collection

Thank you

As a thank-you, we will pay for your parking during study visits at the hospital and you will receive a gift card.

If you are interested in participating, please call 617-432-3151 or email laura_farfel@hms.harvard.edu to see if your provider at either of the 5 sites is part of this study. 

This study will include 6 office visits and 3 phone calls over 12 weeks.  Participants will receive either the study drug or an inactive pill (placebo).  Parents/caregivers will be asked questions about the participant’s medical history and behaviors.  Participation also includes physical and neurological exams, behavioral testing and diagnostic (blood/urine) tests.  Participants receive parking and meal vouchers and a gift card.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact:  Lauren Voelz at 617-355-2954 or Lauren.Voelz@childrens.harvard.edu.

We hope that you will join us in our efforts to find out how children with ASD learn! If you are interested in participating, or in receiving more information, please reply to this posting, call us at (617) 353-3379, or visit our website at: www.bu.edu/childlanguage.

This study is a great opportunity to collaborate with innovative researchers at a renowned university. There is a small monetary compensation for participation and free parking is provided.