Refining and Implementing Technology-Enhanced Family Navigation to Promote Early Access and Engagement...
Autism Spectrum DisorderImplementation Science2 moreThis project, Refining and Implementing Technology-Enhanced Family Navigation to Promote Early Access and Engagement with Mental Health Services for Youth with Autism (ATTAIN NAV) is focused on adapting and implementing family navigation in primary care settings to help accelerate and facilitate engagement in mental health and community services for children with autism and their families.
A Virtual Dental Office Experience for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (360° video) compared to a social story for reducing pre-visit dental anxiety for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve the dental visit experience for children, their families, and clinicians. The secondary objective is to perform a cost comparison analysis of the 360° video product as compared to a social story for Holland Bloorview's dental clinic.
Feasibility of Mobile Game System for Potential Treatment of Developmental Delays
Autism Spectrum DisorderAutismThe investigators will test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a Mobile game system meant to generate valuable data for measuring progress and building novel artificial intelligence models while delivering impactful education for and treatment of children with developmental delays such as autism. Investigators will enroll children with autism aged 2-8 years old and their neurotypical sibling or an unrelated neurotypical control (aged 2-8 years old).
Sensory Supported Swimming for Children With ASD
Autism Spectrum DisordersThe purpose of Sensory Supported Swimming is to provide a sustainable, low cost recreational swim program for children with ASD. A secondary purpose is to train general recreation providers and swim instructors to meet the unique needs of children. Specific aims include both program development and research aims as described below. Specific Aims: 1. Provide more opportunities for families of children with ASD to access a recreational swim program at low cost. (program development) 2. Increase the capacity of swim instructors and general recreation providers working with children with ASD. (Research) 3. Increase physical activity for children with ASD in a way that is a good match for their individual sensory needs. (Research) 4. Increase safety among children with ASD in and around the water so they and their families can swim safely. (Research) 5. Transition swimmers with ASD from a learn-to-swim program to an inclusive swim team. (Program Development) Hypotheses The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase physical activity of children with ASD. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase safety of children with ASD in and around the water. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase the capacity of general recreation providers and swim instructors to serve children with ASD.
pBFS-guided Noninvasive Neuromodulation for Pre-school Children With ASD
Autism Spectrum DisorderThis randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safeness of the pBFS-guided rTMS intervention for core symptom relief in pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ASDactive: An Integrated Theory-based Intervention to Promote Habitual Physical Activity
Physical InactivitySedentary Behavior4 moreASDactive is a theory-based behaviour change intervention aimed at improving the physical activity behaviours of autistic youth. The feasibility of the intervention will be tested through interviews with participants and stakeholders. "Proof of concept" will be tested through preliminary measures of physical activity measured before and after the intervention.
The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials: Confirmation Study
Autism Spectrum DisorderThis is a multicenter longitudinal study that aims to validate a set of measures that were previously identified as promising candidate biomarkers and/or sensitive and reliable objective measures of social function in ASD for potential use in clinical trials. The confirmation study will repeat the data collection and analysis protocols from the original ABC-CT study. This confirmation study will recruit 200 ASD and 200 TD comparison participants who are 6-11 years old, matching the overall sample size but providing a larger normative reference sample and greater statistical power for group comparisons.
FOXP1 Syndrome: The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment is Characterizing FOXP1-related...
FOXP1Mental Retardation With Language Impairment and With or Without Autistic Features1 moreFOXP1, also known as Forkhead-box Protein P1, is a transcription factor protein belonging to the FOX gene family. Disruptions in the FOXP1 gene cause a phenotype characterized by global developmental delay, speech deficits, mild dysmorphic features, and traits of autism spectrum disorder. This study seeks to characterize FOXP1-related neurodevelopmental disorders using a number of genetic, medical and neuropsychological measures.
Melatonin and Sleep Spindles in Autism
Autism Spectrum DisorderSleep disturbances and sensory sensitivities are common disabling features of autism, but their underlying causes are not clear. We hypothesize that both of these difficulties reflect disrupted communication between a deep brain structure, the thalamus, and the brain's outer layer, the cortex. This communication is mediated by the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Due to its small size and location deep in the brain, we cannot assess TRN function without invasive techniques. Fortunately, sleep spindles, a specific brain rhythm provide a noninvasive read-out of TRN function. In Aim 1 we will examine whether reduced sleep spindles are related to worse sleep quality, impaired selective attention during wake, and sensory sensitivities in children with autism. In Aim 2, we will determine whether melatonin, which is commonly used to improve sleep, also increases sleep spindles in autism. If successful, this study will introduce TRN as a target for treatment of sleep disruption and guide larger home-based sleep studies.
MAP Autism Prediction Study
Autism Spectrum DisorderDevelopmental DelayThis pilot clinical trial tests the hypothesis that certain blood metabolite levels can be used to predict Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study cohort will consist of 200 participants between the ages 18 and 60 months who have been referred to a developmental pediatric center for clinical evaluation of ASD or other developmental delay. Two selected sites will enroll 75 participants each with another 50 typically developing participants. Participants will receive a physical exam (including a dysmorphology evaluation), ADOS, VABS, MSEL, DSM-5, and M-CHAT assessments, and receive a diagnosis. A fasting blood draw is required, consisting of 2 mL vacutainer tubes (max 4 mL). Sites must process blood according to sponsor requirements (outlined in the Sponsor's Laboratory Manual). Certain metabolite levels in the blood will be used for diagnostic screening test development.