Research
Autism is highly heterogeneous, arising from multiple genetic and non-genetic influences that produce diverse phenotypes. Our research aims to delineate the biological mechanisms underlying distinct autism profiles and to identify the diagnostics and therapies most effective for each child. This work requires close collaboration across medicine, epidemiology, molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, psychology, and computer science. By jointly examining genetics, clinical comorbidities, behavioral profiles, and brain function, we define more homogeneous sub-groups—laying the groundwork for earlier, more reliable diagnosis and truly precision care.
Our Vision
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”
Stephen Shore
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Faster, more reliable diagnosis. Define biologically and clinically homogeneous sub-groups so parents receive clearer answers about current status and future development, grounded in objective biomarkers (e.g., blood tests, EEG).
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Earlier identification and intervention. Detect infants at risk in the first year of life—before behavioral symptoms emerge—enabling timely, targeted behavioral and biological interventions to reduce or even prevent symptom onset.
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Targeted medical treatments. Identify and develop new therapies tailored to specific sub-groups of autistic children with distinct biological abnormalities.
To advance this vision, in January 2015 we established the National Hospital–University–Based (HUB) Autism Database, which integrates comprehensive, multi-disciplinary data on ~150 children diagnosed with autism each year.
Click here to learn more about our database
Our Latest Projects
Motion Tracking
In this study toddlers suspected of autism are asked to view several short movies in a 15-20 minute experiment.
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Whole Exome Sequencing
This study involves collection of saliva samples from family members (affected child and parents) for whole exome sequencing.
Eye Tracking
In this study we collect body movements of children as they interact with a clinician during the ADOS test that is used to assess autism.