University of Pittsburgh research program needs our help

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University of Pittsburgh research program needs our help. In return they will eventually be able to help our community with newer programs.

please consider.

NIH CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN AUTISM

AT THE UNIVERSITY OFPITTSBURGH

412-246-5485

Toll Free: 1-866- 647-3436

Email: autismrecruiter@...

(Please include your phone number & address in your email)

You are invited to consider participation in ongoing research projects studying how people with autism think and the genetic link to autism. J. Minshew, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in autism,is also the Director of the based CollaborativePrograms of Excellence in Autism (CPEA). Dr. Minshew is collaborating with ateam of scientists from Carnegie Mellon University and University of Illinoisat Chicago to find the neurological, genetic, and cognitive basis for autism.

Benefits of Participating in Our Research Studies:

..A gold standard diagnostic and psychological assessment and report at no cost toyou.

..Our reports may help in SSI determination, educational planning, and vocation altraining.

..Traveland Lodging expenses provided for out of town participants.

..Somestudies can be conducted over the phone.

..Participantsmay receive up to $425 based upon the number of studies completed and for whichthey qualify.

..Weekend and evening appointments available for most studies. We are accepting participants for these studies now through 2007.

New studies are added continuously.

I. HOWPEOPLE WITH AUTISM THINK AND HOW THE BRAIN WORKS

Who is eligible for thisstudy?Children and adults who have or think they have a diagnosis of anautism spectrum disorder such as High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Disorder,and PDD and are also:.Between the ages of 8 and 55.Have I.Q.’s between 80 and 125.Verbal individuals What will I do and how long will it take?

..Eligibleindividuals participate in diagnostic assessments, paper and pencil testing,functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), computer tests, and an eyemovement task.

..Alltests can be completed within 3 days. Evening and weekend appointments are available for most tests.

II. FINDING THE GENES FOR AUTISM

Who is eligible for thisstudy?

..Families with more than one child with autism of any level of severity.

..Individuals with autism must be at least 2.5 years of age toparticipate. What will I doand how long will it take?

..This study involves diagnostic interviews, family history interviews and bloodsamples.

..Partof the testing involves researchers from the University of Washington coming toyour town to administer these tests

..Interviewsmay be done over the phone. You maytake a blood kit to your physician at not cost to you. Total time for thisstudy is between 3-4 hours.

III. FAMILY STUDY

Who is eligible for this study?

..Familieswith one child withautism of any level of severity

..Parents must younger than 50 years of age

..Siblings must be 8 years of age or older

What will I doand how long will it take?

..Parentsand siblings in this study will complete a shortbattery of paper and pencil tests, eyemovement tests, and computer tests. .Testingshould take 3 hours per participant.

..Eveningand weekend hours are available for mosttests.

..FlexibleScheduling- All the tests do not need to be completed on the same day.

IV. INFANT STUDY

Who iseligible for this study?

..Infants less than 5 months of age who have an older sibling with autism of any level ofseverity.

..Women in their 3rd trimester who have a child with autism of any level ofseverity.

What will I doand how long will it take?

..The child with autism will participate in a diagnostic interview.

..MonthlyIn-home observations of the infant and caregiver up to 14 months of age & afollow up visit at 18 months of age.

..Each In-home observation lasts approximately 1 hour. .Parents will be provided with a baby book and videotapes of their interactions withtheir infant, which summarizes the 11 observations.