Adolescents (12–17 years)
Eligibility
Individuals of all ages with a professional diagnosis of autism and their family members may participate.
Purpose
SPARK: Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research and Knowledge is a landmark national autism research study designed to speed up research and advance our understanding of autism to help improve lives. SPARK will collect unique information from thousands of individuals affected by autism to give researchers the information they need to improve treatment and achieve scientific advances as rapidity as possible. More participants in SPARK means more good data for research.
Involvement
Participation in SPARK can be done entirely at home – registration can be completed online and the DNA sample can be provided using a saliva collection kit mailed to the home. There is no cost to participate.
Benefits
Upon completion of the registration process, the individual with autism will receive a $50 gift card.
Contact
Raquel Amador: RaquelAmador@mednet.ucla.edu
For more information visit https://sparkforautism.org/?code=ucla
Learn more about SPARK for Autism!
¿Qué es SPARK?
SPARK es el mayor estudio sobre el autismo que se ha realizado hasta la fecha y potenciará la investigación sobre el autismo en los próximos años. Creemos que para encontrar respuestas para usted, necesitamos entender lo que le hace único. Y lo que le conecta con los demás. Lo hacemos mediante el estudio de la información genética, conductual y médica.
¿Quién puede unirse?
¿Es padre o madre de un(a) hijo(a) con TEA? ¡Únase a nosotros! ¿Es una persona con un diagnóstico de TEA? Necesitamos de usted. No hay ningún costo para usted y mantenemos sus datos privados.
¿Cómo puede participar?
- Cree una cuenta en línea.
- Invite a miembros de la familia.
- Entregue una muestra de saliva para el análisis de ADN.
- [Descubra y participe en nuevas oportunidades de investigación sobre el autismo].
Contacto:
Raquel Amador: RaquelAmador@mednet.ucla.edu
Eligibility:
Individuals with Angelman Syndrome (ages 1-12 or 18 and over), Typically Developing Children (ages 1-12)
Purpose:
This is a prospective, longitudinal, non-drug study at one or more clinical centers in individuals with AS and in volunteers (typically developing controls) with the aim of characterizing sleep features, electrophysiological abnormalities, and neurodevelopment in individuals with AS over a range of ages and genotypes.
Involvement:
Each participant will be evaluated at 2 clinic visits (at the start and the end of the study), at up to 3 home visits for EEG and overnight polysomnography (PSG) (up to 8 weeks after Clinic Visit 1, 3 months, after Home Visit 1, and 6 weeks or less before Clinic Visit 2), and with digital and report measures for 12 months at home. Study assessments will comprise various questionnaires and assessments to be completed by clinical evaluators, participants, and/or their parents/caregivers including exploratory remote patient monitoring.
Benefits:
The outcome of this study will help to improve the tests and scales used in the evaluation of Angelman in the future. You will also be compensated $263 for each visit to UCLA and $132 for each home visit that you complete. Additionally, all study-related assessments will be provided at no cost and you will be reimbursed for all travel expenses.
Contact:
Careese Stephens (cmstephens@mednet.ucla.edu) at 310-206-7404 or Logan Shurtz (lshurtz@mednet.ucla.edu) at 310-825-0180.
Click here to view flyer.
Eligibility
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Are between 3-17 years old
- Currently taking Risperidone or Aripiprazole
- Parent or designated support person available
Purpose
The purpose of this 26-month (2 per year to visits to UCLA and monthly contacts) study is to examine long-term effects on weight, while taking Risperidone or Aripiprazole.
Involvement
- In-person visits every 6 months include questionnaires about overall health, physical exam, vital signs, bloodwork
- Brief monthly contacts for medication and health status updates
Benefits
Participants will receive reimbursement up to $250 ($50 per completed scheduled clinic visit)
Contact
autismresearch@ucla.edu
310-267-4798
Eligibility
- You have one or more children the ages of 3 years and older with symptoms of autism.
- Families must be of African American descent
Purpose
To help researchers understand autism spectrum disorders in African American families.
Involvement
- One screening phone call.
- One in-person visit to our clinic or community site for up to 6 hours.
- Observations of children’s behavior.
- Questionnaires and interviews for parents about themselves and their children’s development.
Benefits
- Participants will be paid $250.
- Participants will receive a written feedback report summarizing the psychological test findings on their child(ren) with autism.
Contact
Erin Graham at (310) 794-4090 or at EGraham@mednet.ucla.edu
Eligibility
- Child between the ages of 7-17
- Child with finalized adoption from DCFS
- Child with typical development
- Child with autism spectrum diagnosis
Purpose
- To investigate the neural and behavioral mechanisms of sensory sensitivity.
- To better understand how different groups of children interact with their sensory environments through neuroimaging and behavioral assessment.
Involvement
- One brief phone call to complete a phone screener to determine eligibility
- One mock scan visit (1-2 hrs) - participant paid $25
- One scan/behavioral assessment visit (3-4 hrs) - participant paid $85
Benefits
- Participant paid up to a total of $110
- Participant will be sent a picture of their brain
- Participant can choose to receive a written report of their sensory profile
Contact
- Phone: 323-391-8795
- Email: ucla.scan.lab@gmail.com
- Interest form: https://uclahs.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ekRUV3ii4aCep02?
- Website: scanlab.dgsom.ucla.edu
Eligibility:
Individuals who are:
- Between 13-30 years
- Have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Purpose
The purpose of this 16-week study is to examine the combined effects of medication (L-DOPA or placebo) plus a specialized behavioral intervention aimed towards increasing social skills.
Involvement:
Participants will receive:
- UCLA PEERS (social skills training, 1 session/week for 16 weeks). Participants must first enroll in UCLA PEERS prior to joining this research study.
- Comprehensive diagnostic and cognitive evaluation
- Neurological testing
- L-DOPA or placebo (inactive medication)
- Questionnaire, interviews, psychological and laboratory testing
Benefits
- Up to $550 if all visits are completed
- Specialized behavioral intervention aimed towards increasing social skills
Contact
Study coordinator: 310-267-4798
PEERS: 310-267-3377
Eligibility
- Children between the ages of 2-16
- Individuals with an ASD diagnosis who are currently receiving services
- Can speak in either phrase speech (2 words with a verb) or are verbally fluent
Purpose
The purpose of the BOSCC is to provide a standardized and efficient method of measuring change in social and communicative behaviors in people with neurodevelopmental disorders over a relatively short period of time (minimum 8-12 weeks). This study aims to assess the BOSCC’s sensitivity for children who can speak in simple sentences (2 word phrases containing a verb) or who communicate in complex sentences.
Involvement
This study involves two visits to UCLA, about 8-12 weeks apart, in which we conduct the BOSCC assessment (12-minute free play assessment with a standard set of toys).
Benefits
Families will receive $25 for each visit to UCLA, totaling $50 for both visits.
Contact
Chrissie Toolan, PhD: ctoolan@mednet.ucla.edu
Eligibility
- Children between the ages of 8-12 years
- Must be diagnosed with Autism
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of dance classes on motor skills and behavior.
Involvement
Participants will participate in FREE weekly dance classes (held via Zoom). Kids are paired 1-to-1 with a teacher who will modify the group classes to meet their unique needs and ability level.
Benefits
Participants will receive $100 upon completion of the study, as well as a unique opportunity to make friends and stay active from home!
Contact
Text “MORE INFO” to 303-718-6434
airpdancestudy@mednet.ucla.edu
Get Study Flyer
PI: Dr. Rujuta Wilson
Eligibility
- Children between the ages of 8 and 15
- Children with typical development
- Children with autism spectrum diagnosis
Purpose
To examine how brain, behavioral, and physiological responses to sensory stimuli develop over time in children with autism spectrum disorder compared to typically developing children.
Involvement
- One brief phone call to complete a phone screener to determine eligibility
- One mock scan visit (1-2 hours)
- Two scan/behavioral assessment visits (3-4 hours) over the course of two years
- Questionnaires at each time point
Benefits
Participants will receive:
- Up to $270 ($25 for the mock scan, $110 at each time point, a bonus $25 for the follow-up visit)
- A picture of their brain
- An optional research report on their sensory processing
Contact
- Phone: 323-391-8795
- Email: ucla.scan.lab@gmail.com
- Interest form: https://uclahs.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ekRUV3ii4aCep02?
- Website: scanlab.dgsom.ucla.edu
Get Study Flyer
Eligibility
Children and adolescents between the ages of 6-17 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine if cannabidiol oral solution (CBD) helps to improve symptoms associated with ASD, including behavior, emotion, cognition, and social skills.
Involvement
After a thorough screening visit to determine eligibility, if you and your child decide to join the study, your child's participation include the following periods:
- Screening period (up to 2 weeks),
- Study Treatment period (13 weeks) - You and your child will have 5 clinic visits (3 of which may be done at the study center or at your home via a video call) and 3 telephone calls.
- Follow-up period (2 weeks)
Benefits
Hopefully, the study medication will help your child's symptoms and overall well-being, but that is not guaranteed. You will also be paid $50 per in-person visit, for a possible total of $400.
Contact
For more information, please contact: Jenny Cowen, PhD at jcowen@mednet.ucla.edu
Study PI: Dr. James McCracken
