Study Details

• Eligibility:

  • Self-identify, Self-diagnosed, and/or Professionally Diagnosed as Autistic 

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Live in the United States

  • Be able to read/write English

  • Have no substance dependency, current pregnancy, medication with opiates or opioid antagonists.

  • Have no frequent gum bleeding, and tooth or root canal treatment in the last 2 weeks

  • Have no Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease, or recent steroid treatment

  • Have hair 3 cm or longer

Procedure: 

Potential participants will be asked to complete a screening survey (link below). If eligibility is determined participants will be contacted by a research team member to set up an appointment for the lab procedures. 

Lab procedures will include: 

1. Going over consenting and HIPAA documentation 

2. Collection of hair sample (See video below for detailed examples of this procedure) 

   1. Research team members collecting hair have completed an evidence based culturally adaptive hair collection training 

3. Collection of two saliva samples 

4. Completion of a survey that takes about 40 minutes to complete. This study includes questions about: 

   1. Identity variables

      1. Types of neurodivergence

      2.  Experiences with gender identity

      3.  Attitudes in your state around gender based issues. 

   2. Presence of various mental health experiences such as:

      1. Alexithymia

      2. Stress levels

      3. Dissociation

      4. Past experiences of trauma

      5. Experiences with self-harm behaviors. 

5. After the completion of the survey participants will be given the opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of 20 $15 amazon gift cards.