Faja Laboratory | Ongoing Studies

Help us understand how to better measure social skills in school-age autistic children.

Brief Description:

The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC-CT) is a research study to understand how to better measure social skills in school-age autistic children. The goal is to create a set of measures that can be used in studies to determine which clinical supports are best for which children and who will benefit from a particular clinical strategy.

Eligibility for Study Participation:

We are currently recruiting both non-autistic children and children with a diagnosis of autism between the ages of 6 and 11.

Participation Details:

Parents or caregivers will complete a screening phone call and questionnaires about their child. Children will complete in-person study visits at Boston Children's Hospital over a six-month period. Scheduling is flexible, including weekends.

A diagnostic and cognitive evaluation is provided to all participants at no cost, and participants will be compensated.

For more information, contact abc-ct@childrens.harvard.edu.

To better understand the physiological markers of anxiety.

Brief Description:

Anxiety in young children may look like avoiding certain situations, difficulty separating from caregivers, or persistent reassurance seeking. When these behaviors occur often, it may be distressing and impact a child’s ability to participate in certain situations. Anxiety disorders are among the most common co-occurring conditions in children on the autism spectrum. The purpose of the BRAVE study is to better understand the physiological markers of anxiety – like how sweaty a child’s hands are, heart rate, and brain activity – in response to intervention. This could allow us to better identify which tests are best for measuring anxiety in autistic children in the future.

Eligibility for Study Participation:

• 3 to 6-year-olds on the autism spectrum with co-occurring fearfulness or anxiety

Participation Details:

Participation will take place over 5-6 months and includes:

• A caregiver interview to learn more about your child’s fearfulness or anxiety.
• A clinical visit to determine if our study is a good fit.
• 3 in-person visits, during which your child will complete various activities while we measure heart rate, skin response, and EEG.
• 16 behavioral intervention sessions.

To learn more about the BRAVE study, please contact us at BRAVEstudy@childrens.harvard.edu.

Why do some children respond differently to early interventions?

Brief Description:

The Faja Lab is examining the early development of executive control — how children think while working toward a goal, learning to do something new, or controlling their behavior. This project will examine whether behavior and brain responses related to executive control are tied to social development and treatment response over time. We are especially interested in comparing the development of executive control for children on the autism spectrum, with developmental delays, and children with no developmental concerns.

Eligibility for Study Participation:

• 2-year-olds on the autism spectrum (or concerns about autism), with developmental delays, or no developmental concerns.
• 4-year-olds on the autism spectrum (or concerns about autism), with developmental delays, or no developmental concerns.

Participation Details:

Participation will include visits over three years in order to track development. Each year will include: 

• 3 visits to Boston Children’s Hospital with activities to evaluate each child’s developmental level, language and social functioning, and interaction style. Visits will also include a series of games to assess each child’s problem solving skills.
• An EEG, which is a non-invasive recording of brain activity.
• Completion of questionnaires.
• The first year will also include two phone calls to determine if the study is a good fit and collect some preliminary information about each child.

All families will receive a written report with information about their child’s current developmental level, free parking, childcare for siblings during visits, and a small payment for participating. For children with a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay, families will also receive recommendations about how to access intervention services.

For more information, contact ideastudy@childrens.harvard.edu.

Help develop a toolkit for measuring social skills used for dating and sex.

Brief Description and Eligibility for Study Participation:

Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital are seeking autistic adults aged 18-35 years, who are fluent English speakers, to help develop a toolkit for measuring social skills used for dating and sex. The goal of this research study is to work together with autistic adults to develop better ways to measure the specific skills needed for sexual health and dating.

Participation Details:

Participation will include one screening call and three visits over approximately three months. During the study, researchers will collect information about social skills as well as knowledge and experience with dating and sexuality. All participants will receive a small payment at each visit. If you are interested or would like to learn more, please contact Matthew Armstrong at ProjectKISS@childrens.harvard.edu or 617-919-6841.

Help develop dating & sexuality training for adults on the autism spectrum.

Brief Description:

The purpose of the study is to learn what factors (if any) impact the ability of adults on the autism spectrum to gain and use knowledge about dating and sexual relationships. Our goal is to work with adults on the spectrum to develop a new knowledge- and skills-based training program to meet their specific sexual health and dating needs. It is important to learn from adults on the spectrum about what kinds of information and skills are most important and how to best measure change in dating and sexual outcomes.

Eligibility for Study Participation:

• 18- to 26-year-old verbal adults on the autism spectrum

Participation Details:

Participation will include one phone call and two in person visits. During the study, researchers will collect information about dating and romance, sexuality, and training preferences. A close relation will be asked to respond to a brief questionnaire and there is an optional part of the study for parents or caregivers.

Adults on the spectrum, their family members, and service providers will help develop a new intervention specifically for adults on the autism spectrum. All participants will receive a small payment for participating and free parking. In addition, feedback about some testing will be provided.

For more information, contact ProjectCRUSH@childrens.harvard.edu.

Help us learn more about dating, romance, and sexual health knowledge in young adults with Down Syndrome.

Brief Description:

DS-CRUSH is currently enrolling young adults with DS (ages 18-28) and their parent/guardian/caretaker to join our study looking at dating, relationships, and sexual health knowledge.  This will help us understand strengths and areas of potential vulnerability as it relates to relationships in adults with DS.

Participation Details:

Participation consists of one virtual or in-person visit to Boston Children’s Hospital Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience depending on the participant’s preference. This visit will include:

• Guardian/caretaker questionnaire
• Computer-based tasks completed by participants
• Interviews with participants and their guardians/caretakers

A report of adaptive testing and resources will be provided. A parking pass and cash reimbursement will be offered to all participants.

For more information contact ProjectCRUSH@childrens.harvard.edu.

Help develop a dating and sexual health training for teens on the autism spectrum.

Brief Description:

This study aims to learn what factors (if any) impact an autistic teen’s experience with romantic and sexual relationships. Together with teens on the autism spectrum, we plan to develop a new knowledge- and skills-based training program for dating and sexual health. We want to hear from teens on the spectrum about what kinds of information and skills they believe are crucial for developing a training program that promotes positive change.

Eligibility for Study Participation:

• 15 to 17-year-old verbal teens on the autism spectrum

Participation Details:

Study participants will complete one phone call and one visit to collect information about dating, sexuality, and training preferences. A parent/guardian will be asked to respond to a brief questionnaire and participate in a visit with surveys and an interview to provide their perspective.

All teens and parents will receive a small payment for their participation. In addition, feedback about some testing will be provided.

For more information, contact ProjectCRUSH@childrens.harvard.edu.