Are you a parent of a child with autism and pregnant? Study

September 15, 2010

Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:51 am (PDT)

Families living with Autism: We need your help to find the CAUSES OF AUTISM!

Research Participation Opportunity: The EARLI Study - Early Autism Risk

Longitudinal Investigation, a national and groundbreaking study to find the

causes of autism

Location: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University's School

of Public Health

Principal Investigator: Dr. Craig J. Newschaffer

Purpose: This study of women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant and already

have a biological child diagnosed with autism has the potential to provide

ground-breaking clues relevant to discovering possible environmental and

genetic links to autism. A network of leading autism researchers from across

the country are participating in the largest, real-time research study to

investigate early risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). EARLI

will follow up to 1200 pregnant women from 20 or less weeks of pregnancy up

to the new baby's 3rd birthday. This current project aims to discover

biological markers and environmental risk factors for autism, collecting

wide ranging data with extensive biosampling and investigating the influence

of hundreds of environmental factors from diet to infection to pesticides

and medications.

Eligibility Requirements: Mothers who have a biological child diagnosed with

ASD Mothers who are pregnant 20 weeks or less, or may become pregnant in the

future Mothers who live in the participating counties of Pennsylvania

(Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia), New Jersey

(Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer and Salem ) and Delaware

(New Castle)

Benefits: Participants will receive developmental and behavioral assessments

for their new baby, beginning at 6 months of age to the new baby's 3rd

birthday, along with reports detailing these assessments Participants will

be compensated between $545 and $605 for completion of the entire study from

pregnancy to the baby's 3rd birthday; they will also be reimbursed for

travel and related expenses Small gifts for the baby and the family will be

given throughout the study, such as books for the baby, a diaper bag, and a

social story for siblings about the baby's birth Access to local autism

resources and information about study findings

For more information, please visit our website: www.EARLIStudy.org, email

<mailto:EARLI%40drexel.edu> EARLI@... or call 1-877-821-0015

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