Completed Research
Understanding the Research Priorities and Experiences of Underrepresented Genders in Autism
The type of autism research being funded may not always be the type of research that the autism community is interested in. Recent studies have spoken to autistic adults and other stakeholders about their priorities, but due to the high ratio of males diagnosed with autism, the voices of females and other underrepresented genders (such as nonbinary people) are not always adequately present. In this study, we are surveying autistic adults and parents of autistic children on their research priorities. Further, we are interviewing autistic women, nonbinary people, and parents of autistic girls on their experiences and priorities in order to understand their perspectives.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Families with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Focus on Behavioral Inflexibility, Anxiety and Quality of Life
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Behavioral inflexibility (BI) is thought to underlie a number of behaviors in ASD and refers to rigid and inflexible patterns of behavior that contrast with the need to be flexible, open to change, and amenable during situations that are unpredictable. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique challenge for individuals with ASD and their families due to the rapidly changing nature of guidelines and lack of daily structure. This study will follow-up families who participated in a large NICHD-R01 study characterizing BI to understand their experiences during this time. First, each parent will be sent a link to an online survey that includes a few short surveys regarding their child’s behavior. Then, parents will be invited to complete a phone interview during which we will ask them questions about frequencies of BI in their children. Finally, parents of adolescents with ASD will be invited to complete a virtual focus group using a WebEx to help increase our understanding of this area.
Behavioral Inflexibility in Developmental Disorders: Project BIDD
The Harrop Lab coordinates the UNC site of Project BIDD – a 5 year NICHD funded outcome measurement grant designed to develop a measure of behavioral inflexibility in ASD (PI: Boyd). As part of this study, we are collecting data related to behavioral inflexibility, cognitive measures, and common comorbidities in ASD. We have also extended our study protocol to children with Fragile X Syndrome and Down Syndrome.
Social Motivation in Females with ASD: An Eye Tracking Approach
In a series of studies funded by Autism Science Foundation and North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (PI: Harrop), we have used validated and novel eye-tracking paradigms to understand social motivation and attention in females with ASD. Our emerging data suggest that males and females with ASD have different attention patterns to social stimuli and indicate potential protective effects in females.
Emergence of Sleep Issues in Infants at Risk for ASD
Sleep problems are one of the most common comorbidities in ASD and reported by parents to cause high levels of stress. Through the Parents and Infants Engaged (PIE) Study (PI: Watson), we are using a combination of local and global sleep measures to understand when sleep problems emergence in infants at risk for ASD. Measures include sleep diaries, surveys, overnight sleep recordings and EEG.
Pathways to Auditory Processing Differences in ASD
Funded through an Autism Speaks Grant (PI: Belger), we are using EEG to understand the emergence of auditory processing deficits/differences in infants at risk for ASD.