SPARK

SPARK is a free online study with a simple mission: to speed up research and advance the understanding of autism. By building a community of tens of thousands of individuals with autism and their biological family members who provide behavioral and genetic data, SPARK will be the largest autism research study to date.

Participation in SPARK can be done entirely at home — register online here.

• Register online in 20–30 minutes
• Complete a few questionnaires
• Provide a saliva DNA sample using collection kits sent directly to your home
• Receive a $50 gift card for the individual with autism upon completion of registration process

Find out more about what’s involved on our SPARK page.

Questions? Contact Amanda Shocklee at 573-884-6092 or shockleea@missouri.edu.

Evaluation of Pupillary Light Reflex in Infants

The purpose of this study is to test the theory that dynamic pupillary light reflex (PLR- the temporary constriction of the pupil in response to a brief burst of light) can be used as a noninvasive tool for early identification of autism or other developmental disorders. PLR is a measure of how the pupil reacts to light.  This research is being done because currently there is no simple instrument can detect autism and many other developmental disorders in young children.

• Eligibility requirements:  Infants born between July 2015 and February 2016
• Time required: One 15 minute visit every 6 months for 2 years
• Location:Thompson Center
• Monetary compensation:Yes
• Contact:Becky Gerdes, 573-884-5728, gerdesb@health.missouri.edu
• Research study director:Gary Yao, PhD

Targeting Sleep in Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The purpose of the study is to test a new family-based behavioral sleep intervention designed to target sleep problems in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

• Eligibility requirements:Individuals age 6-12 with ASD and insomnia
• Time required:1 hour weekly treatment sessions for 8 weeks with assessment before and after treatment
• Location:Thompson Center
• Monetary compensation:Yes
• Contact:Julie Muckerman, 573-884-6838, muckermanju@health.missouri.edu
• Research study director:Christina McCrae, PhD