Find out more about CART and participating in research. or email us at: info@autism.ucla.edu.

Simons Simplex Collection
UCLA researchers are involved in a multi-site research study called the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC), to gather DNA samples from 2,000 autism patients and their families over the next three years. The SSC is a coordinated effort to create a database of information about cases where there is only one family member with autism. This group, which represents the great majority of autism spectrum disorders, will lead us to new genetic factors that increase the risk of autism.Families from Southern California are currently being recruited to participate. Families eligible to participate consist of: only one child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), age four or older; one or more siblings without an ASD, age four or older; and unaffected biological parents who are willing to participate. Eligible children with an ASD will receive a behavioral assessment and all family members will donate blood, a source of DNA. A small number of families with no siblings or siblings under the age of four may be eligible to participate in the study. This information will be made available to scientists around the world who are searching for clues to the causes of autism.

The Development of the Siblings of Children with Autism: A Longitudinal Study
This study tracks the early development of younger siblings of children with autism, children with other developmental delays, and children with typical development. We hope to learn more about the early warning signs of later developmental problems and autism, and about possible genetic markers for speech and language delay. This study involves 5 annual visits to UCLA, and infants can enter into the study when they are between 6 and 18 months of age. Infants enter into the study at 6 months of age and are seen four more times at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months.

UCLA Early Intervention Study
This intervention is a randomized controlled parent education program that targets children's communication skills. This intervention is for toddlers between 16 and 24 months of age who show signs of communication delays or early signs of autism. The intervention consists of 4 to 12 home based sessions geared towards parent education.

Treating Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism
This 7-month study examines the effects of risperidone on treating repetitive behaviors

Children with Autism and Comorbid Anxiety Disorders
This is a study of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome.

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
The aim of this study is to examine emotional adjustment, thought processes such as memory and attention, and brain structure and activity in children and adolescents with 22qDS, as compared to children and adolescents without the disorder.

The Interactive Autism Network (IAN)
This is a multi-center research study conducted by Stanley F. Nelson, MD, from the Department of Human Genetics and Judith Piggot, MBChB, PhD from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); John N. Constantino, MD, from the Department of Psychiatry at the Washington University; and Paul Law, MD, MPH, and Kiely Law, MD, MPH, at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. The goal of this study is to determine the most accurate and cost-effective methods for enlarging the worldwide collection of samples used by scientists to search and identify genetic factors that cause autism. We are attempting to establish a mechanism to collect DNA samples through a web based, email recruitment strategy that should accelerate the pace of sample collection, but we would like to first demonstrate the accuracy of a rapid diagnosis paradigm by inviting your child into our clinic and have our clinicians independently diagnose your child to confirm what you have reported in the IAN (Interactive Autism Network at Kennedy Krieger Institute: Funded by AutismSpeaks) registry. The first step to get involved in this study is to go to the IAN's website: http://www.ianproject.org, register and participate in research. The IAN team will send you the invitation letter if you meet the criteria for our study.