About UWAC Research

The UWAC research program, supported by funding from private foundations and the National Institutes of Health, collaborates with families and individuals to conduct research with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children, adolescents, and adults with autism. Located on the University of Washington’s Seattle campus, the center is recognized as an Autism Center of Excellence by the National Institutes of Health. The UW Autism Center research program is engaged in several national and international collaborations, as well as independent projects, researching autism.

Current Projects

Now Recruiting! The Everyday EF study is inviting autistic children (ages 7-12) and their parents to participate in an executive functioning study! Researchers at the University of Washington Autism Center are partnering with autistic children and their parents to explore ways to support executive functioning. This program will consist of weekly sessions for a total of 12 weeks. Children will have opportunities to explore strategies that support their executive functioning in ways that fit their unique strengths, and parents will take part in weekly sessions exploring how to co-create supportive routines and environments alongside their child. Families will have access to no-cost sessions, individualized feedback on assessments, and an honorarium of $150 in appreciation of your time and partnership in this study. Please contact Giuliana Castelli at giulicas@uw.edu or (206) 221-2147 for more information. .

Now Recruiting! The Infant Brain Imaging Study – Early Prediction is enrolling infants ages 0-6 months who have an older sibling with or without autism. The study uses brain imaging to help detect infants who are likely to go on to develop autism. Infants complete developmental testing and MRI scans at 6, 12, and 24 months. This study builds on the findings of the previous IBIS study. To learn more, please contact our research coordinator at (206) 685-8404 or ibisstudy@uw.edu or see the press release here.

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The Collaboration for Down Syndrome Progress (CDP) Program is a research initiative focused on studying 6- and 12-month-old infants with and without Down syndrome. The program operates across multiple sites throughout North and South America, with the overarching aim of health outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome. The primary objective of the CDP program is to deepen understanding of various developmental areas in Down syndrome including cognition, language, motor, social skills, and brain development, and co-occurring conditions.As part of the study, participants willundergo comprehensive assessments that evaluate behavioral development. In addition, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be utilized to examine features of brain development. To learn more, please contact our research coordinator at (206) 685-8404 or  ibisstudy@uw.edu.

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The IBIS Sleep Study studies sleep patterns in previous IBIS participants as they reach 24 months of age or school age (7-12 years). The Sleep Study involves home-based assessments of sleep and sleep habits. The association of sleep habits with behavioral and developmental characteristics and brain development will allow researchers to more fully understand sleep and development. This study is currently recruiting families who have previously participated in IBIS. To learn more, please contact our research coordinator at (206) 221-8717 or ibisstudy@uw.edu.

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Now Re-Contacting! The IBIS – School Age and Adolescent Study follows the original group of children who participated in the Infant Brain Imaging Study as they reach school age (7-12 years) and adolescence (13-16 years). The follow-up involves comprehensive assessments of behavioral, cognitive and psychiatric outcomes, as well as brain development through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This will allow, for the first time, researchers to look at developmental trajectories from infancy to adolescence in order to more fully understand brain-behavior relationships in children who do (and do not) have siblings with autism. This study is currently recruiting families who have previously participated in IBIS. To learn more, please contact our research coordinator at (206) 221-8717 or ibisstudy@uw.edu.

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The On-Time Autism Intervention (OTAI) Project is a research-community partnership focused on engaging community partners, supporting community providers through collaboration and training, and is currently conducting pilot work in the community. Click here for more information.