Studies Currently Recruiting
- Assistive Technology Devices and Services
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cochlear Implants
- Down Syndrome
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Fragile X syndrome
- Infant & Child Development
- International Adoption
- Williams Syndrome
- Wisconsin Twin Project (WTP)
Assistive Technology Devices and Services
- No studies recruiting at this time.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Download a handout of all the current autism studies here.
- Autism fMRI Study Currently Recruiting Participants
Waisman Center Investigator Richard Davidson, Ph.D. and colleagues are studying brain structure and function in individuals with autism. Participation involves one session at the Waisman Center that lasts no more than 2 hours, during which the individual completes various cognitive activities while a fMRI is used to record brain activity. Two groups of participants are needed: individuals who are typically developing, ages 10-17; and individuals with autism, ages 10-35. The study is best suited for participants who can communicate well and complete tasks in a new situation. Braces or permanent retainers make an individual ineligible for this study.
Contact: Kim Dalton at (608) 263-8913 or dalton@psyphw.psych.wisc.edu
More detailed information about the study can be found at:
http://tezpur.keck.waisman.wisc.edu/
- Twin Autism Project
Another study is recruiting twins, 2 – 21 years old, in which one or both twins has autism and lives anywhere in Wisconsin or adjoining states. Two goals of this study are to determine if twins are at any increased risk for autism and to better understand genetic factors in autism.
Contact the Twin Autism Project at: (608) 262-5574 or toll –free, (866) 230-2560 or e-mail: tap@waisman.wisc.edu. Website: www.waisman.wisc.edu/twinresearch - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Training
The ADOS is considered to be one of the best assessments for diagnosing autism. The assessment consists of several interactive “play” activities that allow the interviewer to observe an individual’s communication and social behavior. We are currently seeking individuals of all ages who have been diagnosed with autism to help train Waisman Center staff on how to conduct the assessment. Individuals of all communication ability levels are eligible to participate. Participation involves 1 visit to the Waisman Center that lasts no more than one hour, and the parent may be asked to stay in the room. The session will be videotaped in order to evaluate the interviewer’s techniques and accuracy of diagnostic conclusions. Please note that because the ADOS is being administered for research training purposes only, participants will not receive any information about clinical impressions from the assessment.
Contact Susan Vial at: (608) 263-5192 or toll-free at: (800) 965-9205 or e-mail: vial@waisman.wisc.edu
- Study of Latino families of children with autism
To date, very few research projects have explored the experiences of Latino children with autism and their families. We are excited to announce a new interview-based study for Latino parents who have children with an autism spectrum diagnosis between 3 and 21 years old. Interviews will be conducted in the language of preference (Spanish or English). The study aims to understand the strengths and challenges these families face in caring for a child with autism. The study will also look at how Latino children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and how families learn about and receive services.
Contact: Sandy Magaña at (608) 263-0270 or magana@waisman.wisc.edu
- Language Intervention Study
Drs. Leonard Abbeduto, Susan Ellis Weismer, and Andrea McDuffie are starting a language intervention study for parents and their children with ASD, between 18-months and 5-years of age, and who use very few spoken words. Based on the Hanen program, More Than Words, this study will involve teaching parents how to encourage their children’s spoken language development. Contact: Andrea McDuffie, PhD, CCC-SLP at:
(608) 890-1683 or mcduffie@waisman.wisc.edu
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Cerebral Palsy and Speech
A research project lead by Katherine Hustad, Ph.D. is investigating the ways that cerebral palsy affects speech production and understandability. The researchers are also evaluating how well an intervention strategy called alphabet supplementation works to improve the understandability of speech. The study is seeking participants with cerebral palsy who are 14 years old or older, have functional reading abilities, are able to talk (even if speech is severely impaired), and are able to point to or touch letters on a communication board (using hands, fingers, or a pointer). Participation takes approximately 4 hours and includes recording speech and learning the alphabet supplementation strategy. Sessions require one visit to the Waisman Center, scheduled at your convenience. Hotel costs may be reimbursed for participants who must travel from outside the Madison area. Participants will be paid $100 upon completion of the study.
Contact: Katherine Hustad: 608-265-9977 or hustad@waisman.wisc.edu
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Speech development in Young Children with CP
Under the direction of Katherine Hustad, Ph.D., a research project is investigating how speech develops and changes over time in children with cerebral palsy and is also seeking to determine if there are early signs that predict which children will become functional talkers and which children will benefit from augmentative and alternative communication systems and strategies. The study is seeking participants with cerebral palsy who are between 18 and 48 months old at the time of enrollment in the study and have normal hearing. Participation involves fun games and activities specially designed for each child to assess his or her abilities in the areas of speech production and oral motor skills, language skills, and non-language communication skills. Sessions last between 1 and 2 hours and participants will come to the Waisman Center for 2 sessions per year, for the next 4 years. Following each session, child participants will receive a small gift and the family will be paid $50. Families who live outside of the Madison area will be reimbursed for travel expenses including meals, hotel costs, and mileage for each session. The results of this study will provide valuable insight as to how to make speech and language therapy for children with cerebral palsy more effective, and how to improve communication abilities and outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
Contact: Katherine Hustad (608) 265-9977 or hustad@waisman.wisc.edu
Or visit www.waisman.wisc.edu/cpkids/ to request more information on-line or to view a brochure about the study.
- Toddler Study
Spatial hearing, or sound localization, refers to our ability to determine where sounds originate in our environment. In the Binaural Hearing and Speech Lab (PI: Ruth Litovsky), we are studying the development of spatial hearing in young children who use cochlear implants. We are currently recruiting children under the age of 3 years who use unilateral or bilateral cochlear implants to participate in our studies. Children should have a history of severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally at birth or within the first few months of life, be native English speakers, and have at least 6 months of experience with their device.
To determine if your child is eligible for this study, or if you would like more information, please contact Shelly Godar at godar@waisman.wisc.edu or call (608) 262-7483.
- Project on Speech Intelligibility in Children/Adolescents
with Down syndrome
- Does your child have speech difficulties?
- Do some people have trouble understanding your child?
- Does your child have a history of speech challenges?
If you answered YES to any of these questions we would be
interested in speaking with you.
We have received funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to investigate the very important issue of speech intelligibility in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.
We are now enrolling children and adolescents with Down syndrome between approximately 9 - 17 years of age. The one-time session will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center. Your child will participate in a variety of speech activities which take approximately 2 hours to complete. You will be compensated for your time and will also receive a summary of your child’s performance. Parking is free and readily available and
travel reimbursement is also available.
If you are interested in participating and/or would simply like additional information about the project, please contact us at:
The Project on Speech Intelligibility
The Phonology Project and Clinic
451 Waisman Center
(608) 263-2218
speechandchewing@waisman.wisc.edu
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- No studies recruiting at this time.
Fragile X syndrome
Download a copy of all the current fragile X studies here.
- Language Learning in Boys with Fragile X Syndrome
Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D., is investigating the developmental course of language learning in boys, who are 4- to 10-years old, English-speaking, and have fragile X syndrome. Participation involves completion of two trips, 1.5 years apart to the testing site, blood draw for genetic analysis, and parent questionnaires and activities.
Contact: Len Abbeduto, Ph.D., (608) 263-1737 or abbeduto@waisman.wisc.edu - Fragile X & Autism: Brain Structure and Function
Led by Richard Davidson, Ph.D., this study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques to monitor which areas of the brain are working when individuals look at pictures of faces, further investigating the relationship between fragile X and autism. This study is seeking participants who are between 13-35 years old and who have fragile X syndrome.
Contact: Kim Dalton, Ph.D. (608) 263-8913 or kmdalton@wisc.edu
- Social Skills and Girls with Fragile X Syndrome
Led by Lyn Turkstra, Ph.D., and Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D., this study is currently seeking adolescents, 13- to 21-year olds, to learn more about social skills and social life in adolescent girls with fragile X syndrome. We have developed a video-based test that focuses on adolescent social life. We would like to compare performance on this test with other abilities, such as memory, and also with your perceptions about your child’s social life.
Contact: Lyn Turkstra, Ph.D. (608) 263-6940 or lsturkstra@wisc.edu - Family Adaptation to Fragile X Syndrome
Drs. Marsha Mailick Seltzer, Jan Greenberg, and Leonard Abbeduto are seeking mothers with a son or daughter, who is at least 12 years old, with fragile X syndrome. The mother must be the biological parent, and must provide documentation from an appropriate health care professional confirming that her son/daughter has the full mutation of the gene causing fragile X syndrome. The son/daughter also needs to either live in the parental home or at least have weekly contact, in person or by phone, with their mother. The purpose of this 5-year study is to learn about the well-being of mothers and their children with fragile X syndrome.
Contact: Renee Makuch at (608) 262-4717 or makuch@waisman.wisc.edu
- Infant Learning Lab
There are several projects examining the learning processes underlie that acquisition of words, one's native language, and music. Infants ages 6 to 12 months and 27-32 months are needed.
http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/infantlearning/infant_research.html - Developmental Changes in Memory for Spatial Configuration
This study is recruting typically developing children 4-5 years of age to participate in a study about the development of spatial memory. In particular, how does memory for object features change during early development?
To find out more contact Vanessa Simmering, PhD at: (608) 890-2670 or UW.SPACE.lab@gamil.com. - Binaural Hearing & Speech Lab
24-36 Months (2-3 years) Recruiting typically developing children 24-36 months old with English as their first language, normal hearing, no history of recurring ear infections, and no pressure equalization (PE) tubes. We are studying how children learn to locate sounds in their environment.
To find out more visit the website: www.waisman.wisc.edu/bhl/parents.html or contact Sam Harris at sharris2@wisc.edu - Binaural Hearing & Speech Lab 4-9 Years
Recruiting typically developing children 4-9 years of age who meet the following criteria: Native English speakers, normal hearing, no history of recurring ear infections, and no pressure equalization (PE) tubes.
To find out more visit the website: www.waisman.wisc.edu/bhl/parents.html or contact Cindy Zettler at zettler@wisc.edu
- Wisconsin International Adoption Project
Headed by Dr. Seth Pollak, Ph.D., the Wisconsin International Adoption Project (WIAP) is investigating the successes, challenges, and needs of children who spent some early part of their lives in institutional, orphanage, or foster care settings. The research conducted by WIAP will provide answers and aid to families, community agencies, adoption professionals, educators, and medical professionals to help children and families reach their full potential. The WIAP maintains a confidential registry of families who are interested in being contacted about research opportunities. When you register, we will send a questionnaire for you to complete about your child's developmental history and, although our researchers will contact you when a research opportunity arises, you are never obligated to participate.
Contact: For more information or to join the WIAP registry, contact the WIAP research coordinator via email at ChildEmotion@waisman.wisc.edu or by phone at (608) 262-5148.
Web: http://psych.wisc.edu/childemotion/
- Autism & William's syndrome: Brain Structure and Function Added 7/13/2004
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques, this study will monitor which areas of the brain are working when individuals look at pictures of faces. Eye movements will be recorded at the same time, to determine if individuals with William's syndrome or autism scan or focus on different areas of the faces differently than non-diagnosed individuals. The study is seeking participants who are between the ages of 5 to 35 years and who have either an autism spectrum diagnosis or William's syndrome. Participants will spend 35 to 45 minutes in the fMRI scanner and the entire session lasts approximately 2 hours. Participants receive pictures of their brain and $50 for completing the session, and can earn an additional $30 for completing an optional scan.
Contact: Kim Dalton, Ph.D. (608) 263-8913 kmdalton@facstaff.wisc.edu
Wisconsin Twin Project - WTP
About the Project:
Headed by Dr. Hill Goldsmith, the Wisconsin Twin Project (WTP) is investigating the behavioral adaptations and challenges, physical similarities and differences, vocabulary development, sensory experiences, and general social-emotional development of twins born in Wisconsin. Findings from this longitudinal study will improve understanding of individual differences within genetic and environmental influences as well as how child behaviors develop through the lifetime. WTP is assisted by the Waisman Research Participation Core (RCP) in maintaining a registry of families of twins. Families who did not receive the initial letter but have twins who were born in Wisconsin between 1989 and now, and are interested in the project may contact us. Once families agree to join the Twin Registry, they may be contacted in the future about participating in different portions of the Wisconsin Twin Project. Families who join the registry are never obligated to participate; they are free to decline participation at any time.
- A Study of Twins and the Autism Spectrum
Headed by Dr. Hill Goldsmith and Dr. Morton Gernsbacher, WTP and UW Research on Autism have developed a partnership to study twins and the autism spectrum. The study is seeking all sets of identical and fraternal twins in Wisconsin or neighboring states where one twin or both twins have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum (including autism, PDD-NOS, and Asperger’s Syndrome). Participation involves a phone interview for which the family is paid $25. Families are then asked if they are interested in participating in a home visit, for which families are compensated $300. Agreeing to do the telephone interview does not oblige families to participate in the home visit.
Contact: Hill Goldsmith or one of his research staff at (608) 262-5574 or via e-mail, wisconsintwins@waisman.wisc.edu
or see their web site at http://www.gernsbacherlab.org