Patient Engagement
Partnership for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Simons Foundation
The Simon’s Foundation supports the advancement of research across a diverse front, including an expansive autism research program. SFARI, the Simon’s Foundation Autism Research Initiative, funds research studies aimed at improving the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. SFARI coordinates the largest autism research study in the world, named the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research, or SPARK for short. This autism study’s purpose is to accelerate research and our understanding of the condition through periodic completion of surveys and the opportunity to participate in remote and in-person research studies. SFARI also funds the Spectrum Autism Research News Initiative, which posts the latest news about autism research and our understanding of the condition for the benefit of both families and educators.
CLINICAL TRIAL
Congenital Heart Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder
PI: Maya Chopra, MBBS, FRACP
In this highly collaborative study which is part of the Children’s Rare Disease Cohort (CRDC) Initiative, trio whole exome / genome sequencing will be offered to individuals with a dual diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With the expertise of co-investigators from the Department of Cardiology, Developmental Medicine and Clinical Genetics, we aim to better understand the genomic intersection of these dual diagnoses. The insights from this study may uncover new genes, mechanisms and future therapeutic options for children with these disorders and have important implications for diagnostic and prognostic evaluations.