Research Participation Opportunities

Looking to help advance the future of autism research? Studies at the cutting edge of improving quality of life for autistic people are happening right now — and these studies would be nowhere without participants. That’s where you come in.

Here, you will find opportunities to get involved in research studies. These studies are located around the world, both remotely and in person, and seek participants across a range of ages and backgrounds. Browse through the opportunities to find the ones that are looking for someone like you or your child.

Research studies funded by OAR’s Applied Research Competition or Graduate Research Grant Competition will be denoted with this icon:

Please note that OAR staff is not directly involved with any of the studies; for any questions, please contact the researchers directly.

Are you a researcher seeking participants for your study? Click here to let us know.

Share an Opportunity

Share a Research Participation Opportunity

If you are seeking participants for a study, you are invited to submit the form below. Once your submission is received, OAR will get in touch with you about listing your study on this page as well as promoting your call for participants on OAR’s social media channels.

In order to be considered, your study must:

  • Focus on quality-of-life research for autistic people.
  • Be approved by the IRB (or an equivalent oversight body for studies conducted outside of the USA).

If you submit the form but do not see a confirmation message appear on screen, please contact us to confirm that the form went through.

If you do not receive an email response within a few days of submitting your request, please contact us to confirm that we received your form.

  • In order to list your research participation opportunity, you must provide an IRB approval number OR proof of IRB approval.
  • If you did not provide an IRB approval number above, please upload proof of IRB approval.
    Max. file size: 2 MB.
  • Example: Autistic children, ages 8-12, who use AAC.
  • For remote studies, please provide the survey link here.
  • Please note that your text may be edited by OAR staff for length or clarity.
  • This graphic will be posted on OAR's social media. Recommended dimensions: 1200 x 628 pixels.
    Max. file size: 2 MB.
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

If you have any questions, please contact research@researchautism.org.

Depression Treatment (Therapy)

Depression Treatment for Autistic Adults

Researchers

Vanessa Bal, Ph.D.

Institution

Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Who can participate

Autistic adults aged at least 18 years, who live in NJ or NY or can travel to Rutgers University, who have someone who can participate with them (e.g., parent, sibling, friend)

Location

In-person (New Brunswick, NJ) or virtual

Description

This study is evaluating the efficacy of a 12-week mental health treatment designed to help with symptoms of depression. You may be eligible for you are at least 18 years of age, have a previous diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, live in NY, NJ or can travel to Rutgers University, and have someone who will participate with you (e.g., parent, sibling, friend). You will be asked to complete 12 therapy sessions (option online or in-person). If you participate, you will be compensated up to $150 for completion of assessment visits. If you are interested, please take the screening survey at https://redcap.link/depressiontreatment.

Contact

Vanessa Bal, LifeSPANlab@gsapp.rutgers.edu

Deadline

May 22, 2022

Autism and Police (Survey)

Survey Study on Autism and Police

Researchers

Dr. Julia Parish-Morris, Joseph McCleery, Judith Miller

Institution

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia / Center for Autism Research

Who can participate
  • Autistic individuals ages 18+
  • Parents of autistic individuals ages 12+
Location

Remotely; contact the study coordinator to participate

Description

We are conducting an anonymous online survey focused on understanding how individuals with autism and their caregivers feel about police officers. We are partnering with adults aged 18 and older who either have a diagnosis of autism themselves, or are the parent or caregiver of an autistic person who is aged 12 years or older. We are particularly interested in the perspectives of individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups, such as people of color and folks who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. If you are eligible to participate, you will be asked to complete one anonymous online questionnaire that takes approximately 15-25 minutes, and compensation for time is provided.

Contact

If you would like more information or if you want to participate, please contact the study coordinator, Aili Hauptmann, at hauptmanna@chop.edu or 267-425-1152.

Deadline

May 29, 2022

Autism and Police (Virtual Reality)

VR Intervention to Improve Police Safety

Researchers

Dr. Julia Parish-Morris, Joseph McCleery, Judith Miller

Institution

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia / Center for Autism Research

Who can participate

Teens and adults ages 12-60 with a confirmed autism diagnosis

Location

Remotely; contact the study coordinator to participate

Description

We are conducting a study to test if virtual reality (VR) could be a useful way to practice interacting with police officers. We are partnering with teens and adults ages 12 to 60 who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If you are eligible to participate in this research study, you or your child will be asked to make one-to-four virtual study visits, complete questionnaires, and engage in either a virtual reality intervention or not engage in virtual reality intervention (treatment-as-usual).

Contact

If you would like more information or if you want to participate, please contact the study coordinator, Sonny Russell, at russella2@chop.edu or 267-425-1190.

Deadline

May 29, 2022

Navajo Families

Parents Taking Action to Improve Autism Services Access for Navajo Families in Northern Arizona

This study received an Applied Research Grant from OAR in 2021.

Researchers

Olivia Lindly, PhD, MPH, Davis Henderson, PhD & Kristina Lopez, PhD

Institution

Northern Arizona University

Who can participate

Navajo parents or guardians ages 18 years or older, who have a child with autism ages 2-12 years, and live in Northern Arizona on or off the Navajo reservation within the Western Navajo Agency.

Location

This study is being conducted both in-person and remotely. In-person participation is taking place in Northern Arizona in and around Flagstaff, as well as the Western Navajo Agency.

Description

Northern Arizona University is conducting a study to learn about the experiences of Navajo parents and guardians raising children with autism. If you are Diné and have a child with autism who is 2-12 years old, we want to talk with you. your input will help inform strategies to improve access to services for Navajo children with autism. We will provide $30 for your time and expertise. We are looking for Navajo parents or guardians ages 18 years or older, who have a child with autism ages 2-12 years, and live in Northern Arizona on or off the Navajo reservation within the Western Navajo Agency. If you are interested, please contact Olivia Lindly at Olivia.Lindly@nau.edu or Candi Running Bear at (928) 523-5175.

Contact

Olivia Lindly, Olivia.Lindly@nau.edu

Candi Running Bear, (928) 523-5175

Deadline

May 31, 2022

EMBRACED Study

The EMBRACED Study

Researchers

Kaitlyn Drafton, John Strom, Lauren Perovsek, Taylor DeMotta

Institution

Seattle Pacific University

Who can participate

Parents/caregivers of children on the autism spectrum aged 5-10.

Location

Remote; see Description for link.

Description

Are you a parent or guardian of a child with ASD aged 5-10? Researchers from Seattle Pacific University are interested in hearing from you! We invite you to participate in the EMBRACED Study, a nationwide research study investigating the relation between a set of mental skills called executive functions and behavioral and emotional difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This study consists of a few short surveys involving your child’s behaviors, ASD symptoms, and cognitive abilities and will take no longer than approximately 25-30 minutes to complete. If interested, you will also be entered into a raffle drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card for completion of the survey.

To participate, click here to begin the surveys.

Contact

Contact the researchers at embracedstudy@outlook.com.

Deadline

July 15, 2022

Facial Expression Recognition

The Assessment of Facial Expression Recognition in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Researcher

Zachary Friedman

Institution

Duquesne University School Psychology Program

Who can participate

Autistic individuals ages 4-22

Location

Remote; see Description for link.

Description

The study is examining how well autistic youth are able to identify and label emotions shown on the face.

Parents/caregivers will be asked basic questions about their child (e.g., age, race, gender, etc.) and will confirm that they give permission for their child to participate. The child will also be asked whether they agree to participate.

The researcher will present facial expressions online. Participants will be asked to identify the facial expressions. The entire process (parent and child) will take approximately 15-20 minutes and will take place through a computer.

Click this link to participate in the study.

Contact

Zachary Friedman, doctoral candidate, friedmanz@duq.edu

Deadline

July 31, 2022

Speech and Gesture

Communication is Movement: Speech and Gesture Motor Control and Coordination in Mildly Autistic Young Adults

This study received a Graduate Research Grant from OAR in 2021.

Researcher

Claudia Abbiati

Institution

University of Vermont

Who can participate

Autistic adults (ages 18-35) who are fluent, native speakers of American English

Location

In-person – Burlington, VT

Description

The Department of Communication Sciences at the University of Vermont is currently seeking autistic adults / adults on the autism spectrum to participate in a study! The study is seeking to understand how autistic adults speak and gesture (i.e., move their hands) when communicating.

Interested participants will have a phone screening to determine if you are eligible. If you are selected for the study, you will complete 3 questionnaires. You will also have a 2 ½ hours long visit to do speaking and gesturing tasks at UVM.

Contact

Claudia Abbiati, claudia.abbiati@med.uvm.edu

Deadline

August 31, 2022

ABA and Military Families

ABA Study for Autistic Children in Military Families

Researchers

Dr. Cynthia Anderson, Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Dr. Eric Butter, Dr. Zachary Warren, and Dr. Susan Hyman

Institution

Cleveland Clinic, May Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Rochester Medical Center; funded by the Department of Defense

Who can participate

Autistic children, ages 18 months – 4 years, who are covered by TRICARE insurance.

Location

Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH), May Institute (Virginia and North Carolina), Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN)

Description
  • Your child will receive behavioral interventions from professionals.
  • You may be offered opportunities to learn new strategies for your child.
  • We will ask you questions about your child, and you will be paid for filling out forms.
  • Results will be used to help military families who have autistic children.
Contact

Cleveland Clinic: Leah Barto, Research Coordinator at (216) 448-6392 or autismresearch@ccf.org

May Institute: Dr. Jaime Crowley-Zalaket, Research Coordinator at (781) 300-8926 or JCrowley@mayinstitute.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Nicole Cacciato, Research Coordinator at (614) 355-7517 or Nicole.cacciato@nationwidechildrens.org

Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Amy Swanson, Research Coordinator at (615) 322-6533 or amy.r.swanson@vumc.org

Deadline

August 2022

The Your View Study

The Your View Study

Researcher

Carolyn McCormick

Institution

Purdue University

Who can participate

Families with children between 2-5 years of age who: are on the autism spectrum, have Down Syndrome, or are typically developing.

Location

Remote; participation is all completed at home and through online questionnaires.

Description

Families will receive a kit mailed to their home with head-cameras, headbands, and instructions. Parents and their children will wear the head-cameras and record their daily activities for up to 4 hours across 1 week. Parents will also be asked to fill out questionnaires online. Families will be compensated with a $60 amazon gift card for their time. Are you interested or have questions? Contact us at maclab@purdue.edu.

Contact

Contact Measurement, Autism and Child Development Lab (MAC Lab) at maclab@purdue.edu.

Deadline

December 1, 2022