Autism Speaks announced in February it had provided $5 million to expand and link two large-scale, multi-site studies of more than 2000 infant siblings of children with autism, who are at higher genetic risk for developing the disorder.This unprecedented research effort will investigate genetic and environmental risk factors for autism from pre-natal development through early childhood. Read more about the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) Network and the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation projects here.

We are proud to be able to fund this research – and couldn’t do that without every dollar raised through our Walk program, special events and donations. Thank you for your support.

Twin and family studies have shown that younger brothers and sisters of children with autism are at a higher risk of developing autism than those children who do not have relatives with this condition. Information gained about early brain development in children with autism may improve methods of early detection and intervention for infants who may be at risk for developing autism. Earlier identification and treatment may lead to better outcomes for these young children and their families.

At the Center for Autism Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, we aim to identify very early brain features that may be characteristic of infants at risk for autism. To do this, we are actively seeking to enroll families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder and an infant sibling 6 months old or younger for the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS). Developmental evaluations and MRI scans of your infant’s brain will be completed at 6, 12, and 24 months of age. Compensation for participation will be provided, and travel arrangements can be made for families traveling from further distances.

To learn more about participating in this study, please contact our study coordinator at 1-866-570-6524 (toll free) or autism@email.chop.edu.