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Characterizing sleep physiology in ASD
Study Site: Massachusetts General Hospital; contact [email protected]
Participation: Remote/Online Study
Dates: 06/24/2026 - 06/24/2027
The fully remote option of this study is for your child to wear a comfortable sleep headband for 3 nights (at home) to measure brain activity during sleep. If needed, your child may have an optional 1–2 week practice period to become comfortable wearing the headband before the study nights begin. Caregivers will complete a brief sleep diary and questionnaires with the research team throughout the study. Families may also choose to participate in up to two optional in-person visits at the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington, MA. During these visits, your child will wear an EEG cap while listening to simple tones and clicks so we can measure brain activity. These in-person visits are completely optional and are not required to participate in the at-home portion of the study.
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How Should We Measure Autistic Adult Well-Being? A Preliminary Study
Study Site: Rutgers University; contact [email protected]
Participation: In-person participation required
Dates: 07/06/2026 - 12/31/2026
Researchers at Rutgers University are developing a new measure of well-being for autistic adults across the full range of support needs, including adults with profound autism. Participants will complete a one-time remote interview lasting approximately 60–90 minutes via Zoom. During the interview, caregivers will review draft questionnaire items and provide feedback on their clarity, relevance, and appropriateness for measuring well-being in autistic adults with high support needs. Participants will be compensated for their time and effort.
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Investigating Mechanisms Underlying Perceptual Integration in Autism
Study Site: Boston University; contact [email protected]
Participation: Remote/Online Study
Dates: 11/21/2024 - 11/20/2027
Our study examines sensory processing and decision-making in individuals with ASD, including Phelan-McDermid syndrome and profound autism. Participation consists of completing several online caregiver/participant surveys (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour total) and participating in an online video game task conducted over Zoom (approximately 10–50 minutes depending on the game version and participant experience). During the game task, participants respond to visual stimuli while researchers study patterns of sensory perception and decision-making. All study activities are conducted remotely/online. Participants who complete both the surveys and game session will receive $50 compensation in the form of an online gift card.
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Investigating the Brain's Response to Language in Those with Profound Autism.
Study Site: Albert Einstein College of Medicine; contact [email protected]
Region: Northeast USA (ME, MA, NH, VT, RI, PA, MD, CT, NY, NJ )
Participation: In-person participation required
Dates: 04/03/2026 - 12/31/2026
This study aims to better understand how the brains of children with autism process speech and other sounds. We are especially interested in learning more about children who use few or no spoken words, a group that has been underrepresented in brain research. What we learn may help guide more personalized communication and intervention approaches in the future. Children will visit the lab and wear a comfortable EEG cap that records brain activity non-invasively. While wearing the cap, they will watch age-appropriate videos and listen to a variety of sounds, including simple tones, speech sounds, and spoken stories. No speaking or active responses are required. The study is designed to be low-stress, and breaks are provided as needed. Participation may take place in one or more sessions, depending on the child’s comfort. The full study session could take up to 4 hours, but can be split up if needed. The child will also undergo some simple cognitive testing while in session.
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Join SPARK: The Largest Autism Research Study in the U.S.
Study Site: Join Online
Participation: Remote/Online Study
Dates: 04/21/2016 - 01/01/0001
The Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge("SPARK") is a landmark online research initiative funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). SPARK’s mission is to speed up research and advance our understanding of autism to improve lives. How It Works *Register Online: Create a secure account and complete basic behavioral and medical histories. *Provide DNA (Optional): Receive a saliva collection kit by mail to complete entirely from home. *Stay Connected: Access a personalized dashboard with customized research updates and resources. *Contact Information & How to Apply: ---Apply Online: Visit the official SPARK for Autism Registration Portal. ---Email Support: Send questions to [email protected]. ---Phone Support: Call toll-free at 1-844-54-SPARK (1-844-547-7275).
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Randomized controlled trial of propranolol for aggression, self-injury and severe disruptive behavior in adolescents and adults with autism
Study Site: Center for Autism and the Developing Brain and Institute for Basic Research; contact [email protected]
Region: Northeast USA (ME, MA, NH, VT, RI, PA, MD, CT, NY, NJ )
Participation: In-person participation required
Dates: 01/30/2026 - 12/31/2028
This is a medication study to evaluate whether a medication called propranolol can help reduce challenging behaviors in individuals with autism. Participation in this study may last up to 26 weeks (~6 months) and includes only 1-2 in-person visits to White Plains, NY or Staten Island, NY. In-person visits may be completed in the participant’s place of residence if needed. These visits will last 4-5 hours and can be split into multiple days. Study procedures will include medical and behavioral assessments including home blood pressure checks, EKGs and Holter monitor (a small wearable device that records heart activity). Ongoing weekly virtual visits with the study team may last up to 1 hour. Compensation will be provided for all study visits. Any travel, lodging, and meal expenses for the in-person site visits will be reimbursed.
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Sensory Processing and Adaptation (SPA)
Study Site: Boston Children's Hospital; contact [email protected]
Participation: In-person participation required
Dates: 01/23/2020 - 04/01/2028
The goal of this study is to better understand how children process sensory information as altered sensory processing, particularly in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can often have negative impacts on downstream, higher-order processing which can include cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes. We hope that this work will inform improved treatment options for children facing sensory processing challenges.
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The Neurodiversity Paradigm: Perspectives from Autistic Individuals
Study Site: Illinois Institute of Technology; contact [email protected]
Participation: Remote/Online Study
Dates: 02/17/2026 - 12/31/2026
The Illinois Institute of Technology is conducting this study to better understand the attitudes that autistic individuals have towards the different theories about autism spectrum disorder and neurodiversity that exist in society. It aims to gather this information via qualitative interview, seeking perspectives directly from autistic individuals. This study involves an audio-recorded virtual interview with Tiona Wu, BA either independently or by caregiver proxy. The interview requires a participation commitment of approximately 1 hour. The target number for enrollment is 8-12 participants, across a range of high and low support needs.
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