Study participation involves two main parts: EEG and Cognitive Testing.
Participation is typically completed in 2-3 in-person visits, each lasting 4-5 hours (including a lunch break, where lunch is provided from a local deli). However, we understand families have busy schedules, and we will do our best to offer flexibility that fits your needs!
Our facility is typically open Monday-Friday, but some Saturday appointments are available. Please contact us to discuss scheduling and appointment availability.
We know that parts of our brain communicate with one another through electrical signals, and EEG is a tool that allows us to measure how these electrical signals change in response to our actions and surroundings.
Here at the CNL, we have participants wear a cap, which looks and feels similar to a nylon swimming cap. However, our caps have small holes in the fabric, which we fill with a gel that feels (and washes out!) like regular hair gel, but can conduct electricity. This gel acts as a bridge between the top of your head and a small electrode that records the electrical activity in the brain.
EEG recordings can show patterns in brain activity among groups of participants! For example, we can have participants play a simple computer game, and look to see if there are differences in brain responses between those with and without Autism.
And best of all, EEG is child-friendly and painless. Watch the video to see for yourself how an EEG is run at the CNL!
Our research also uses standardized cognitive tests to study Autism. This involves completing a series of standardized assessments and questionnaires with our team's clinical neuropsychologist. We use this information to assess diagnosis, cognitive ability, language, and daily living skills in our participants. Participants in our clinical group may be eligible to receive a written summary of the testing completed throughout this study.