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.
We love sharing useful and appropriate content with our constituents, but we must comply with state and federal digital accessibility laws. Please see our guidelines and requirements for requests to post research on our website and social media.
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.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Pain Responsivity and Sensitivity in ASD
The Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development lab (NBD lab) is seeking autistic adults and controls between ages 30 to 75 years for a non-treatment research study on pain responsivity and sensitivity in ASD.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Sensory Intervention in Boys with Autism
Help researchers understand and learn more about non-pharmacological interventions for children with ASD and how their brains use sensory information.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Cooperation with Medical Procedures
This study is 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.
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
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.
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
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Assessing Praise Versus Preferred Conversation Topics as Rewards for On Task Behavior
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.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Toward Healthy Aging in Adults with Autism
The goal of the study is to examine how aging-related differences may contribute to different outcomes and to improve the long-term health of autistic adults.
University of Florida ISLA Research Team
Brandon Zielinski, MD, PhD, DNNL@peds.ufl.edu,
352-273-5295 (Sydney Nelson)
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
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
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!
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Parent-Perceived Challenges to Extracurricular Activities/ After-School Programs for Autistic Children
Identifying the logistical, social, and environmental challenges parents face and the specific support service needed for enrolling their autistic children in extracurricular activities and after-school programs
Principal investigator: Nigel Newbutt, UF College of Education, nigel.newbutt@coe.ufl.edu
UF IRB Protocol #: ET00024140
Approval Date: 04/22/2024
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).
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Florida Cares: Best Practices in Case Management and Measuring Service Quality
Share your experiences about the services you receive in your community.
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
Does your child prefer to receive praise or talk about preferred conversation topics for staying on task?
Is your child eligible?
- Has an ASD diagnosis or related disorder
- Ages 3-19
- Can answer simple questions about what they like
- Registered with CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities)
Location & Time
- UF CARD Center (4101 NW 89 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606)
- 30-minute sessions 1-2 times a week
- 1-2 months duration
If you would like to register or learn more information contact a member
of the study team:
Laura DeZayas, M.S., BCBA
Principal Investigator
Email: DEZAYASL@UFL.EDU
Study ID: IRB202400320 Date Approved: 9/6/2024
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
Reviewed 10/29/24