Current Studies

Parent  Involvement Study.   Are you the primary caregiver of a child between the ages of 0 to 21 years who has been diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ASD, or PDD? If yes, you could participate in a research study trying to better understand the involvement of parents in interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. If you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete four anonymous questionnaires online. The study will take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete. After you are done completing all the questionnaires, you will have the option to provide your email to be entered into a drawing for one of five $20 gift certificates.  If you are interested, please click the following link. This will take you to the online study:

https://notredamecsr.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9ELE8BotvwyykKw

For more information about this study, please contact Karen Tang at (574) 631-8126 or ktang@nd.edu, or Joshua Diehl, Ph.D. at (574) 631-5729.

Robot Intervention Study.  This study is examining the utility of social robots for enhancing social skills treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders.  This new project has been featured by Notre Dame (click here).  We are currently in the piloting stage, and we are in the process of identifying families that would be interested in the next round of the study. Children with a diagnosis of Autism, Asperger syndrome, or PDD (of all ability levels) between the ages of 6-12 may be eligible for the study.  For more information, email us at fun.lab@nd.edu.    Please note that, due to the tremendous response we have received, it may take as many as two weeks for us to return your initial call.

Click here for a "Social Story" describing your initial visit

Coming Soon

Autism Genetics Study.  his study will attempt to identify for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. This study is currently awaiting funding.  If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact us at fun.lab@nd.edu.. 

High-functioning  Autism and Asperger Syndrome Summer Science Program. We are currently seeking funding to start a summer science program focused on the guided inquiry technique for high-functioning children with autism and Asperger syndrome to start Summer of 2012. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact us at fun.lab@nd.edu.

Band of Siblings Study ..  We are interested in the relationships between individuals with ASD and their siblings.  This study will start Summer 2011 and can be completed online.  If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact us at fun.lab@nd.edu.

***If you do not qualify any of these studies, but are still interested in participating in future research, feel free to contact us at fun.lab@nd.edu.  We will put you in our database and contact you with future studies that might interest you.