Share

Pubertal, Psychosocial and Physiological Development in Females with Autism

September 1, 2022 - December 1, 2023

Through this study, the SENSE Lab hopes to learn more about the unique and challenging process of puberty in females with ASD and provide information to families and caretakers in order to make the transition from childhood to adulthood easier. This study aims to understand and track puberty in females with and without ASD so clinicians are able to provide meaningful approaches and interventions in the future during this critical time period.

What are the goals of the study?

The mission of the SENSE (Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology) Lab is to better understand the social and emotional functioning of youth autism and to translate findings into meaningful approaches and interventions. Significant physical, psychological, hormonal and social changes occur during pubertal development. Adolescence may be uniquely challenging for girls especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The goal of our study of girls with autism or typical development is to promote, understand, build, enrich, respect, and track youth.

What will happen during the visit or online?

Participants will come to Vanderbilt University Medical Center once a year for four years. Each visit includes a physical exam, blood draw, brief psychological exam, brief social interaction, and EEG. Participants will be expected to take saliva samples at home prior to study visits and complete menstrual tracking surveys.

How will this help families?

This study will help provide vital information regarding puberty in females with ASD and help families further understand the unique timing and tempo of puberty in autistic females. In addition to study compensation, families will receive annual research letters of standardized measure results and an annual symposia on topics related to pubertal development and ASD will be provided for families. We aim to be available to families for questions and concerns relevant to the focus of the study; namely, adolescence, puberty, and mental health. If developmental needs arise, our multidisciplinary team will do our best to provide support.

Eligibility Criteria

Females, 6-12 years old with suspected or confirmed:
-Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-Typical Development (TD)
-Intellectual Disability (ID)

View the study flyer here.

Contact Information

Rachel Calvosa, senselab@vumc.org, 615-322-4132

Research Study Website
Vanderbilt University Medical Center SENSE Lab

More Research studies from this topic: Diagnosis

Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials
In-person participation required
Compensation Skills in Autism
Online web-based study
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
In-person participation required
Generating Effectiveness Mechanisms in RUBI (GEMs in RUBI)
In-person participation required
Autism-relevant profiles in neurogenetic syndromes
Online web-based study
Language and brain development in baby siblings of children with autism
In-person participation required
Multi-Site Validation Study of Eye Tracking-Based Measure of Autism Symptom Severity
In-person participation required
Intranasal Vasopressin Treatment in Children with Autism
In-person participation required
A treatment for SETD5 subtype of autism
Online web-based study
The EMBRACED Study
Online web-based study
Center for Brain Disease Diagnosis at the NRI
Online web-based study In-person participation required
Neural basis of social cognition in youth with ASD and psychosis
In-person participation required
Neurodevelopmental Sleep Study
In-person participation required
San Diego State University Toddler MRI Project
In-person participation required
Autism Home Videos for Children
Online web-based study
Autism face fMRI
In-person participation required
Cute Aggression in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Online web-based study
Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health
Online web-based study
Simons Searchlight
Online web-based study
LISTEN: Electrophysiological correlates of language processing in minimally verbal children with neurodevelopmental disorders
In-person participation required
The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials: Confirmation Study
In-person participation required
Aging in Autism
In-person participation required
Predicting and Optimizing Language Outcomes in Minimally Verbal Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (POLO)
In-person participation required
Adolescent Communication of Emotion Study
In-person participation required
Social Motivation
In-person participation required
Pivotal Response Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
In-person participation required
COBRA (Connectivity in the Brain and Autism)
In-person participation required
Exploring Positive and Negative Dimensions in Autism Spectrum Disorders (EXPAND)
In-person participation required
MARBLES
In-person participation required
CHARGE
In-person participation required
ECHO
In-person participation required
Imaging Cognition and Neurodevelopment (ICAN)
In-person participation required
Infant-Caregiver Synchrony in Autism
In-person participation required
MRI Study for Prediction of ASD
In-person participation required
Walking and Talking in Autism
In-person participation required
SPARK: Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge
Online web-based study In-person participation required
What do you Eat?
Online web-based study
RARE-X Data Collection Program
Online web-based study
BRIDGE Study (Brain Indicators of Developmental Growth)
In-person participation required
Next Generation Siblings: How Having a Sibling with ASD Affects One’s Decision to Have Children
Online web-based study
Cognitive Functioning in Children
Online web-based study
Multimodal investigation of emotional reactivity as a predictor of later psychopathology in infants at risk for ASD
In-person participation required
Infant Brain Imaging Study for Autism
In-person participation required
The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials: Confirmation Study
In-person participation required
Investigating Depressive Symptomatology in Adolescents with ASD and ADHD
Online web-based study
Genetics of Autism in Latinx Ancestries
In-person participation required
Caregiver-Endorsed Strategies for the Treatment of Sensory Reactivity Symptoms in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Online web-based study
Social Computations in Autism with Neuroimaging
In-person participation required
Social Dynamics and Early Visual Experiences
In-person participation required
Validation of Autism Diagnostic Interview-3rd Edition (ADI-3)
In-person participation required
Assessing Motor Control across different Sensory Environments in Individuals with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder
In-person participation required
Characterizing Electroencephalogram (EEG) Index of Plasticity of the Social Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorder
In-person participation required
Social Cognition in Brain and Behavior
Online web-based study In-person participation required
Sensory Reactivity and Regulation Development
In-person participation required
TMS in ASD for Sensory Over-Responsiveness
In-person participation required
Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Inflexibility in Autism Spectrum Disorder
In-person participation required
The neuroanatomical basis for face processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder
In-person participation required
Investigating neurocognitive profiles in parents of children with autism and anorexia
Online web-based study
Cannabidivarin (CBDV) vs. Placebo in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
In-person participation required
Infant Robot Interaction
In-person participation required
Anxiety in Autistic Adolescents
Online web-based study
Following Language Growth in Autism at Home (FLASH)
Online web-based study In-person participation required
WATCH Motor Development Study: Advancing Screening Tools for ASD
In-person participation required
Family-Implemented Treatment for Behavioral Inflexibility (FITBI) Project
Online web-based study
The Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment (RI-CART) Adolescent to Young Adult Study
Online web-based study In-person participation required
The Investigation of Genetics Exome Research (TIGER-3)
Online web-based study In-person participation required
A Pilot Study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
In-person participation required
AB-2004 in Treatment of Adolescents With Irritability Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder
In-person participation required
Research Studying Pimavanserin in Irritability Associated with Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder
In-person participation required
Assessing Functional Language Development via Telehealth
Online web-based study
SMASS
Online web-based study
Mapping brain function in children with autism spectrum disorder with diffuse optical tomography
In-person participation required
Telehealth Mindfulness-based Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Caregivers
Online web-based study
Children Learning Language Collaboration Project
In-person participation required
Eye-tracking In-person Research
In-person participation required
Shape in Healthcare Study
Online web-based study
Self-reported internalizing disorders and social support in youth with autism spectrum disorder
Online web-based study
Generating Effectiveness Mechanism in RUBI (GEMs in RUBI)
In-person participation required
Effects of Identity on Masking Behavior
Online web-based study
Sleep in Children with Autism
In-person participation required
Aging in Autism
In-person participation required
Camouflaging/masking among females on the autism spectrum
Online web-based study
Test Elevation
Online web-based study
Investigating specific aspects of adjudicative competency in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Online web-based study
Auditory Processing in Children with Autism
In-person participation required
Speech Treatment for Minimally Verbal Children with ASD and CAS
In-person participation required
Picture Books for Language Learning in Autism
Online web-based study
Bilingualism in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Eye-Tracking Study
In-person participation required
Perceptions of Autism in a Digital Age
Online web-based study
The neural basis of third party social interaction perception in autism
In-person participation required
EDI Self-Report
Online web-based study
A pilot study of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for autonomic dysregulation in individuals with the developmental disabilities
In-person participation required
 Satisfaction with Social Support and Future Anxiety Among Hispanic Guardians of Children with Autism/Satisfacción con el Apoyo Social y Ansiedad Futura entre Tutores Hispanos de Niños con Trastorno de Espectro Autista
Online web-based study
Boosting Engagement and Skill Acquisition through technology and personalization: A pilot trial of enhanced transdiagnostic behavioral therapy 
Online web-based study
Development of the M-CHAT-S, a school-age extension of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
Online web-based study