Research

These research opportunities are listed as a courtesy to UF CARD constituents. Specific questions should be directed to the contact person listed for each study. Content is updated at least twice a year.

Research opportunity

Aging Well in ASD

The Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development lab seeks autistic adults and control individuals ages 30-75 for participation in a research study focused on healthy aging.

elderly person's hand and puzzle pieces

Research Opportunity

Barriers to Medical and Dental Care

Researchers at the University of Florida Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment are seeking participants for a survey to identify possible barriers to medical and dental care for children with autism. The survey is completely anonymous and should only take 5-10 minutes. Approved by UF HRPP ID: 17034 Questions? Contact LLLOVERAS@ufl.edu

Dr listening to child's heart with a stethoscope

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Equitable Learning Technology Lab at the University of Florida

ELTL believes that the scientific enquiry of equitable learning technologies must be informed through collaboration, community-based engagement and cross-disciplinary working while placing people with neurodiversity at the forefront of our endeavors. This will help to ensure the most pressing problems facing neurodiverse communities are tackled within a multi-disciplinary environment while creating an exceptional academic environment for our research and teaching communities.

Equitable Learning Technology Lab Logo

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Autism Motor Function Study

Are you a young adult between the ages of 18-25 with or without Autism and are interested in helping out with an ASD motor study? If so, contact dnnl@peds.ufl.edu for more information. Compensation will be provided. Principal investigator: Dr. Brandon Zielinski, UF Dept. of Pediatric Neurology. Study ID:IRB202301571 Date Approved: 1/16/2024

McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Caregiver Support Group

A six-week virtual structured support group
focused on caregiver mental health and well-being for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) co-led by a team clinicians from UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment

family of four holding hands walking on a path surrounded by trees and flowers on a sunny day

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

SPARK for Autism

Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK) Online research partnership involving individuals with autism & their families, to speed up research & advance our understanding of autism. SPARK is sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI).

Young children; one is holding cardboard box that says SPARK on it

Cooperation with Medical Procedures

The Behavior Analysis Research Clinic is currently conducting a study designed to evaluate the most effective ways to increase cooperation with medical procedures such as immunization shots or blood draws in individuals with autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. 

  • Must have a history of restraint, problem behavior, or noncompliance in the context of medical procedures.
  • Must be able to attend weekly or biweekly appointments at UF CAN. 

Participants will not receive compensation.

For more information contact:
lloveras@ufl.edu
Lindsey Lloveras
Behavior Analysis Research Clinic
University of Florida

Study ID: IRB202102414


Assessing Praise Versus Preferred Conversation Topics as Rewards for On Task Behavior

Recruiting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related disorders ages 3-19.

Researchers from the University of Florida from the Behavior Analysis Ph. D program are conducting a study to evaluate whether children with ASD or related disorders prefer to receive praise or hear about their preferred conversation topics as a reward for staying on task.

Your child is eligible to participate if they have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or a related disorder, are ages 3-19, can answer simple questions about what they like, and are registered with CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities).

Location & Time: UF CARD Center (4101 NW 89 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606). Sessions will be 30-minutes and occur once or twice a week for 1 month duration.

Contact a member of the study team if you are interested in learning more information.

Laura DeZayas, M.S., BCBA Email: DEZAYASL@UFL.EDU

Study ID: IRB202400320 Date Approved: 4/25/2024


Caregiver Support Group

Are you a caregiver of a child with ASD?

We are offering a six-week structured support group for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities (RD). The sessions will be co-lead by a team clinicians from UF Health Psychology. The schedule of activities for the structured support group is designed to teach stress management strategies and explore family well-being. The activities will include values exploration, stress management and the maintenance of stress, and promoting family well-being. This program is free of charge to UF CARD constituents 18 & older.

Participants in the structured support group can also consent to participate in a research study led by principal investigators, Regilda A. Romero, Ph.D. and Audrey Milam, M.Ed, from the UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. The research study aims to evaluate the outcomes of a structured support group for caregivers of autistic children with rating scales and a focus group.

For more information:
Regilda A. Romero, Ph.D., regildaromero@ufl.edu
Audrey Milam, M.Ed., audreymilam@ufl.edu

Study ID: IRB202400654 Date Approved: 8/2/2024


What does socializing mean to teenagers with autism?

Help researchers at the University of Florida understand what making friends and hanging out means to autistic adolescents!

Your teenager may be eligible to participate if:

  • they are between 13 and 17 years old,
  • have a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder,
  • and they want to talk about social interactions for two 1-hour interviews!

Each teenager will receive:
$25 gift card per interview (up to $50 total)

For more information:
Complete the interest survey
or email Audrey Milam, M.Ed. at audreymilam@ufl.edu.

Study ID: IRB202400980 Date Approved: 7/17/2024