The Stress, Health, and Autism REsearch (SHARE) Study
What's the study about?
Dr. Emily Hotez, Ph.D. from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is conducting a research study. This study is being funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study is designed to test associations between stress and health among autistic teens & young adults.
Who can participate?
Autistic adolescents and young adults with no intellectual disability, age 15-30
What will participants be doing?
As a participant, you will be asked to participate in two Zoom visits with our research staff. This will include Virtual Visit #1 (Meet & Greet, 30 minutes) where we will identify whether you are eligible to participate, you will sign the consent form, and you will fill out brief surveys.
If you are eligible, you will receive a participant kit in the mail in preparation for Virtual Visit #2 (Data Collection, 90 minutes), where you will complete more surveys, provide a hair sample, and provide information about your height and weight. During this visit, you (or someone you trust) will cut a small amount of hair from the back of your head, wrap it in foil, and mail it back to us. The sample will be used to measure cortisol, a hormone related to stress. This process is safe, non-invasive, and can be done at home.
Across all study procedure, you may choose to have a supporter, someone you trust—like a family member, friend, or support person—who can help you:
• Understand the information in this consent form,
• Ask questions or communicate with the research team,
• Think through your decision about whether to be in the study.
This study is neuro-affirming and is meant to be inclusive and accessible. If there is anything the research team can do to make your experience in the study more comfortable, please let us know.
Why is this important?
The goal of this study is to better understand the health and well-being of autistic adolescents and young adults. The findings from this research will help inform the development of new programs or interventions that can support the health of this population.