Problem

Autism research studies, especially in the area of applied research, are dependent on participation by individuals with an ASD diagnosis. Researchers actively recruit children with autism and family members to be participants in research studies, although volunteers may be difficult to find without further incentive.

The Gift

This gift will provide compensation for a family participating in research. Depending on the study, a family’s participation in applied research might require filling out surveys, meeting with therapists, taking a course, or being observed while completing everyday tasks. In return for their participation, families often receive monetary compensation. These gifts can come in the form of gift cards or a check, or might simply be used to cover the costs of travel. Through supporting these families who leave their comfort zone to join an ongoing research study, our current understanding of autism will broaden and supply the autism community with more answers to a seemingly unending supply of questions. In addition, children, adolescents, and adults on the spectrum who participate will receive a potential benefit from the intervention used in research studies.