Sandler
Autism study currently enrolling participants
The Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) has received a $1.3 million dollar grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The five-year grant will support a unique research study of the social development of younger siblings of children with autism, a group that is at a higher risk for autism than the general population.
“The purpose of this study is two-fold,” said Wendy Stone, Ph.D., director of the Vanderbilt TRIAD, and the principal investigator for this study. “We want to look at the earliest symptoms of autism, as well as investigate whether or not these siblings develop in a different way, even if they do not have autism.”
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a child’s ability to interact with others, to understand and use language and to respond to changes in his or her environment.
The exact causes of autism are yet unknown, however research suggests that early identification and intervention can lead to significant improvements in a child’s abilities.The exact causes of autism are yet unknown, however research suggests that early identification and intervention can lead to significant improvements in a child’s abilities. Autism is rarely diagnosed before the age of two, however this study may allow the team to detect developmental problems and begin assisting children at a younger age.
The research team will compare the social development of siblings and non-siblings ages 12 to 18 months over the course of two years. Because siblings of autistic children are 50 times more likely to develop autism than siblings of normally developing children, Stone and her team will have a chance to look at a group of children who are at a higher risk for social and communicative disorders.
“The majority of the siblings won’t have autism spectrum disorders,” said Stone. “But we can find out if there is anything different in the way these children develop socially, which is something that could lead to early intervention.”
Stone, who is also a professor of Pediatrics and Kennedy Center Investigator, will be joined in this study by co-investigators Tedra Walden, Ph.D., professor of Psychology and Human Development, and Paul Yoder, Ph.D., research professor of Special Education.
TRIAD is currently enrolling children in the study. The researchers are looking for: siblings of autistic children ages 12 to 18 months, siblings of typically developing children ages 12 to 18 months, children with autism ages 36 to 42 months and non-autistic children with developmental disorders age 36 to 42 months.
The study will consist of six sessions involving child assessment and parent interviews over the course of two years with the 12- to 18 month-old children. The 36- to 42-month-old children will be needed for a one-time session. All research activities will take place at Vanderbilt.
For more information on the study or to enroll your child, contact Anne Osberger at 936-0265.