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Alexian Brothers Medical Center
Contacts: Phil Carona, Tiffany Ream, Claire Tessman
1786 Moon Lake Blvd., Suite 200
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
(847) 230-3591 (Phil)
(847) 230-3567 (Tiffany)
(312) 996-6746 (Claire Tessman, study coordinator)
Cook County
Clinical research trial for autism will assess the effect of an investigational medication on social interaction and communication skills in children with autism. The University of Chicago (Fedra Najjar, MD) now recruiting patients for study. Contact Claire Tessman.
Age eligibility: 6-12.
Cost: Eligible participants receive study medication, comprehensive study-related evaluations, diagnosis and close follow-up with experienced physicians. A stipend is provided for transportation, lab work, an H&P and psychiatric evaluation free of cost. Study involves eight visits over the course of approximately 14 weeks.

Alexian Brothers Neuroscience Institute
Jacque Bursott
800 Biesterfield Road, Suite 610
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 981-3690
Cook County
Study looking at auditory processing and language skills in children with autism, Asperger's disorder or normal control. This study includes but is not limited to brain imaging. Eligible candidates will receive brain imaging procedures.
Age eligibility: 10-16 (potentially able to accept young adults outside of this age range).
Cost: no fee.
No wait list.

The Autism Program of Illinois
Rebecca Gerhard Suitein, PhD
(813) 968-3003
email: rgerhardsuitein@parinc.com
Cost: eligible participants receive a $200 stipend from Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.  Research requires to complete a form about your child or a child in your classroom.
No wait list.

Boston University
Study: Time Use Study of Adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Media and Friends
Department of Occupational Therapy
Principal Investigator: Hsin-Yu (Melissa) Kuo, Doctoral Candidate
635 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 309-0531
email: hsinyu@bu.edu
Faculty advisor: Gael Orsmond, PhD
(617) 353-2703
email: gorsmond@bu.edu
The aim of the study is to explore how adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder use media (watching television and using a computer), how they spend time with friends, their psychological well-being, and their relationships with parents and friends. Short phone interview screening will determine eligibility. Parents will receive a $10 gift certificate and the young adult receives a $20 certificate (to a variety of stores e.g. GameStop and Barnes and Nobles).
Age eligibility: 12-18.
No wait list. For more information or participation.

Loyola University Chicago
The Healthy Adjustment in Teens Study (H.A.T.S.)
Principal Investigators: Rebecca Wasserman, MA and Amy Bohnert, PhD
(773) 508-2962
Cook County
email: hats@luc.edu
Researchers are conducting a study to understand what contributes to better adjustment in high functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and are looking for participants. To be in the study, your child must have a current diagnosis of autism, Asperger's disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), read at a sixth grade level, and verbally communicate on a regular basis with family and peers. You and your child will answer questions about your child's adjustment, social abilities, friendship quality, and executive function abilities. You and your child will be given the option of filling out paper measures or completing the measures online. It should take approximately 35 minutes for parents and ten minutes for youth to fill out the forms.
Age eligibility: 12-17.
Cost: You will earn a $10 Target gift card for your participation in this study.

Midwestern University Occupational Therapy Program
Contact: Sheila Williford
(630) 515-6188
Wanted: Occupational therapy researchers seeking young adults with Asperger's Syndrome or HFA between the ages of 16-30 years.
We want to learn about the challenges and ways you adjusted to transition from high school into more adult roles. Participation will involve an interview that will last up to one hour. The interview will occur at a place and time that works best for you. We would also like to interview parents of individulas with AS/HFA.

The National Institute of Mental Health
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Repetitive Thoughts and Behaviors in Children and Adolescents - Has Medication Not Helped?
Pediatrics and Developmental Neuropsychiatry Branch
Contact: Lorraine Lougee, LCSW-C
10 Center Drive, MSC 1255, Bldg. 10, Room 4N208
Bethesda, MD 20892-1255
(301) 435-6652 or (301) 496-5323
email: ocdnimh@intra.nimh.nih.gov
The purpose of this research study: To study riluzole for obessessive-compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents. Children must be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder with severe repetitive thoughts and behaviors, or have moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Children must be currently taking, or have taken, a medication for repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Be able to participate in an initial one-day outpatient evaluation and brief outpatient visits approximately monthly for six months, and at months 9 and 12, at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md. Children must forego any cognitive-behavioral therapy during the 12-week study.
Age eligibility: 7-17.
Cost: There is no cost for research study participation. Travel assistance may be provided. Parental consent is required.

Northwestern University
Child Language Study of Children with Autism, Fragile X Syndrome, Down Syndrome and Typical Development
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Molly Losh
2240 Campus Drive
Frances Searle Building, Room 2-340
Evanston, IL 60208
(877) 275-7187
Cook County
email: familystudy@northwestern.edu
This project studies the speech and language of children with fragile x syndrome, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and children who are developing typically.  They are currently recruiting participants to identify factors afecting children's language development; determine how language skills change as children get older; and describe characteristics of children's conversational and narrative skills in different contexts. Their staff will visit your child once a year for 3 years. This visit may take place in your child's school, home, a local clinic, or laboratory offices at Northwestern University. All children must also use English as the primary language spoken in their home and communicate verbally in 3-word phrases. Participation includes the following: assessment of your child's language development; completion of questionnaires and a possible interview about your child; permission to ask your child's teacher to complete questionnaires; and children with fragile x syndrome and/or autism may be asked to provide a blood sample.
Ages: 3-14.
Cost: for year each of participation, you will receive $40 and a written summary of your child's communication skills.

Rush Neurobehavioral Center
Usability and Likeability of a Virtual Environment for Social Information Processing Tool
Contact: Nicole Russo, PhD, principal investigator, study coordinator
4711 W. Golf Road, Suite 1100
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 763-7927
Cook County
Researchers at Rush NeuroBehavioral Center are looking for children who like to play video or computer games to participate in a research study investigating the usability of a new computer-based and game-like social-emotional learning assessment tool.
Where: optional locations in Skokie, Chicago, Hoffman Estates are available for testing. They can also arrange to come to your child's school or home.
How long does it take? Participation takes less than 2 hours and in some cases, only 30 minutes.
Age eligibility: 8-14. Participants include typically developing children and children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
Study includes: completion of a brief computer-automated task that investigates how your child thinks and acts in a specific social situation. They will also ask your child some questions about how much he/she understood and liked the task.
Cost: no cost to participate.

Rush NeuroBehavioral Center
Is your child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and does your child struggle to read emotion from facial expressions?
Contact: Jason Johnson, B.S., study coordinator
4711 W. Golf Road, Suite 1100
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 763-7988
Cook County
email: research@rush.edu
If your child meets the following criteria, s/he may be eligible for the research study: autism spectrum disorder diagnosis; average or above average intellectual functioning; and experiences difficulty with recognizing emotion from facial expressions.
Age eligibility: 8-14.
The study involves telephone pre-screening parent interview; screening assessment of your child's ability to perceive nonverbal cues from facial expressions (approx. 3 hours); twice weekly training sessions (up to one hour/session) for up to eight weeks; immediate post assessment and follow up to six weeks after completion; completion of questionnaires regarding your child's social and emotional learning skills; no fee for assessment or intervention; and feedback for parents.

Rush University Medical Center
Autism Resource Center
Natalie Forburger, MA, LPC, director
2150 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 563-2272
Cook County
email: natalie_m_forburger@rush.edu
Cook County
Some treatments for autism can be quite costly. The Autism Resource Center at Rush University Medical Center is conducting a research project to get a better sense of how fees can impact healthcare for families of children with an autism spectrum disorder. We hope to use the information you provide on the surveys to help make services more available to children with autism. You may participate in our study by completing a 25-item survey, either online or by calling Natalie at (312) 563-2272.
Ages: birth and up.
Cost: free.
No wait list.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Are you a social entrepreneur with an intellectual disability? Do you have a business, microenterprose, or non-profit?
Where: Interviews will be held in the Chicagoland area. You will be able to choose the date and place that works best for you. There will be two interviews. Each interview will last one hour and you will be paid $30 for being part of this research.
You can participate if you: have an intellectual or developmental disability; live in the Chicagoland area; and have a business or non-profit.
Ages: 18-64.
Why? This research is part of a project looking at social entrepreneurship as a pathway to employment for people with disabilities in Chicago. As part of our research, we are particularly interested in including the voices of social entrepreneurs with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Contact: Kate Caldwell by email at lkcaldw3@uic.edu or by phone ar (312) 996-4711.

University of Illinois-Chicago 
Department of Psychiatry
Principal Investigator: Fedra Najjar, MD
Contact: Clare Tessman, research coordinator
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 996-6746
Cook County
email: dctess@uic.edu
Connect Me Study: A randomized, double-blind evaluation of memantine in pediatric patients with autistic disorder
Eligibility criteria: Boys and non-menarchael girls who have a diagnosis of autistic disorder and who are not currently on psychotropic medication. They do diagnostic procedures and IQ, and need to see the patient and main caregiver every 2 weeks for 4 months. There is a placebo control. 
Age eligibility: 6-12.
No waiting list.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Institute for Juvenile Research
The Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) is conducting research to better understand and diagnose: autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorders.
Contact: Lana Roth, LCSW
1747 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608
Cook County
(312) 413-4624
email: autism@psych.uic.edu
Eligible participants may receive neuropsychological and socio-communicative assessments, diagnostic interviews, neurological examination, medication management services and blood draw. The overall goal of this study is to learn about the genetic influences and neurobiological substrates of autism and other autism spectrum disorders. In addition, they are studying the relationship of genes to medication response.
Age eligibility: 5-30.
No fee. Patients will be compensated accordingly for each of the studies completed.
Up to one-month wait.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Institute for Juvenile Research
1747 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608
Contact: Sarah Youngkin
(312) 413-9061
email: syoungkin@psych.uic.edu
The Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC is now recruiting children and adults for a research study to test how well an investigational medication works to treat symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Does your child with autism have any of the following symptoms?
Isolation from others; fixed facial expressions; reduced social interest; and/or reduced emotional responses to others.
Study Information: 22-week research study comparing the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication and placebo (sugar pills). All evaluations are conducted and study medication is provided at no cost to the participants. Families who participate will be reimbursed for their travel expenses. Under the direction of Dr. Edwin Cook and Dr. Fedra Najjar.
Ages: 5-21.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Institute for Juvenile Research Department of Psychiatry
The Simons Simplex Collection
Contact: Lana Roth, LCSW
1747 W. Roosevelt Road, Room 155
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 413-4624
Cook County
email: autism@psych.uic.edu
This project is designed to identify genetic risk factors for autism. Goal: search will lead to a better understanding of autism and to new effective therapies. Eligible families: one or more siblings with autism spectrum disorder and both biological parents must be willing to participate. Experts will conduct a free, comprehensive evaluation of your child. Most study components, including a blood draw, will be conducted in friendly and supportive clinics. The study questionnaires can be completed in your home.
Age eligibility: 4 and up.
No wait list.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Health and Lifestyles Comparison of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Parent Survey
Contact: Sheila Swann-Guerrero
(773) 699-6873
email: swanngue@uic.edu
Faculty Sponsor: James Rimmer, PhD
(312) 413-9651
e-mail: jrimmer@uic.edu
You are invited to participate in an online confidential survey concerned with the health, and physical activity lifestyles of teens with ASD and their siblings with ASD. This study is being done for a thesis project of the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Disability and Human Development.
Who: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and their child with ASD who is between 12-18 years old.
Why: Your information will help us better understand what factors are related to children with autism spectrum disorder being physically active. All information is kept confidential.
How: Participation is simple. Both you and your children are invited to complete a 5 minute online survey.
Download survey here. For more information or if you have difficulty accessing the survey, please contact Ms. Swann-Guerrero.
Thank you very much for your consideration and potential participation! Your time and efforts are appreciated. 

University of Illinois at Chicago
Institute for Juvenile Research 
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
Contact: Sarah Youngkin
1747 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 413-9061
Cook County
email: syoungkin@psych.uic.edu
UIC is now recruiting children and adults for a research study to test how well an investigational medication works to treat symptoms assiciated with autism spectrum disorder. Does your child have any of the following symptoms? Isolate from others? Fixed facial expressions? Reduced social interest? Reduced emotional responses to others?
Study Information: 22-week research study comparing the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication and placebo (sugar pills); all evaluations are conducted and study medication is provided at no cost to the participants; families who participate will be reimbursed for their travel expenses; under the direction of Dr. Edwin Cook and Dr. Fedra Najjar.
Age eligibility: 5-21.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Contact: Susan Cahill (PhD student)
If interested, call (708) 214-7174 or email smcahill@uic.edu
Study focuses on understanding the perspectives of parents of youth with an autism spectrum disorder as it relates to educational experiences.  Eligibility requirements include the ability to participate in a discussion with a relative stranger for 30-40 minutes about pictures. They must have the ability to ask other individuals whether or not they would mind having their photograph taken and have the ability to respond to the individual's answer. They must receive special education and/or related services. They must be able to follow written or picture checklists and should be permitted and encouraged by their teachers and other school personnel to take photographs throughout the school day.
Age eligibility: 14 1/2 to 21.

Although our website includes links providing direct access to other Internet sites, the Autism Resource Center at Rush University takes no responsibility for the content or information contained on those other sites, and does not exert any editorial or other control over those other sites.

The information on this website is provided for general reference purposes. It does not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician. Only a qualified, licensed physician can determine the individual treatment that is appropriate for your particular circumstances. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a physician. Inclusion of information on this website does not constitute an endorsement of views, persons, methodologies or products. The health care providers whose information is available on the website are not necessarily the agents or employees of Rush University Medical Center. In consideration for use of this website, Rush University Medical Center or any other party involved in producing or delivering this website will not be liable to you for any action or nonaction that you take in reliance upon the information provided on this website.

Autism is a complex disorder. Our website provides information and resources for families with a child with autism. If you feel your child is experiencing behavior and/or symptoms that may be associated with autistic spectrum disorders, please contact your pediatrician or a licensed physician. A comprehensive evaluation may be needed from a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist and other professionals.

The Autism Resource Center’s referral and resource list is not an all-inclusive list and is subject to change. Each day the team will be adding new resources and building to our website. If you have trouble finding a referral within your area, we encourage you to call (312) 563-2272 for further information. We hope that you visit our website again for any future referrals.