Simons Baby-Sibs Project of Social Neuroscience in Infancy

FAQs

• What is the purpose of this study?
• Who will be studied?
• What is the duration of the study?
• What does the study involve?
• What is the time commitment?
• What are the benefits of being in this study to my family?
• What safeguards are in place to ensure that the study is conducted ethically and the children who participate in the study are not harmed in any way?
• Who is funding the study?
• What other Universities are conducting this study in conjunction with Yale?
• Who are the members of the research team conducting this study?
• How can I get further information?

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What is the purpose of the study?

This study examines the development of social skills in typically developing infants as well as in infants who are at risk for specific delays or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We assess the infants' speech, language, and communication, as well as their cognitive, social, motor, and adaptive skills. We also study the way infants process information about people, recognize faces, and attend to speech sounds. This research will lead to a better understanding of mechanisms underlying social disorders as well as the development of new methods to diagnose and treat ASD in infants and toddlers.

Who will be studied?

Your child can be in this study if he or she is either:

• 0 to 6 months old and has a sibling with ASD, and if the child has no visual or hearing impairment, seizure disorder, or any known genetic syndrome.
OR
• 0 to 6 month old newborns, with or without siblings, with or without significant pre- or perinatal complications that do not have seizure disorder, or identified genetic syndrome.

What is the duration of the study?

The participants are enrolled prior to or shortly after birth and are followed by the research team until they reach 24 months. Those with identified developmental delays also will be assessed at the age of 36 months.

What does the study involve?

During each visit your child will watch pictures of objects and people on a computer screen, as well as watch several short videos and listen to various speech and speech-like sounds. During some of the visits, your child will take part in developmental and language assessments, as well as diagnostic play sessions. Parents complete several questionnaires and interviews regarding their child's development and adaptive behavior. As part of his or her participation in the study, your child may also receive an exam by a pediatrician or a geneticist.

What is the time commitment?

Parents are asked to participate over the course of their newborn's first two years of life. The visits occur nine times (at the 1st week and months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12) in the first year of life, and three times (at months 15, 18, and 24) in the second year. We schedule all appointments at your convenience.

What are the benefits of being in this study to my family?

Parents of children with identified developmental delays will have the opportunity to discuss the findings with a clinician and will subsequently receive a report documenting the assessment results. In addition, all parents will receive up to $330 for completion of this study. The children participating also receive a toy or book at certain visits. At the conclusion of the study, a study graduation t-shirt is awarded to the child.

What safeguards are in place to ensure that the study is conducted ethically and the children who participate in the study are not harmed in any way?

The study has been approved by the Yale Human Investigations Committee, protocol #0509000617. The examiners working with your child have extensive experience with newborns and toddlers, and the assessments are supervised by licensed clinicians.

Who is funding the study?

This study is funded through the Simons Foundation, the National Institute for Child Health and Development and the National Institute of Mental Health.

What other Universities are conducting this study in conjunction with Yale?

None

Who is involved at Yale?

The members of the research team include Ami Klin, Ph.D., Kasia Chawarska, Ph.D., Warren Jones, B.A., Rhea Paul, Ph.D., and Fred Volkmar, M.D.

How can I get more information?

If you would like more information about this study, please contact Amy Margolis at (203) 785-6237