Yale Child Study Center Receives Over $3.5 Million NIH Grant for Autism Research

The Yale Child Study Center has received a $3.5 million National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant for an ongoing, multidisciplinary research program on autism and related developmental disorders.

The five-year research program focuses on developmental aspects and outcomes for affected patients. The project includes a prospective study on the earliest manifestations of autism in infants at risk for the condition, and funds research on predictors and determinants of subsequent functioning and communication skills.

Autism is a developmental disorder that has a profound effect on socialization, communication, learning and other behaviors. In most cases, onset is early in infancy. Information on the earliest development aspects of autism in children has been limited even though three to four of every thousand individuals are affected.

The interdisciplinary program brings together existing and new expertise, infrastructure and resources focused on diagnosis, early detection, causes and treatment of autism. It is led by Yale Child Study Center Director Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., The Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, professor of pediatrics and psychology at Yale School of Medicine.

“This invaluable support from the federal government helps us understand how children with autism change over the course of development and helps us clarify factors most important in determining ultimate outcome,” said Volkmar.

Autism is a developmental disorder that has a profound effect on socialization, communication, learning and other behaviors. In most cases, onset is early in infancy. Information on the earliest development aspects of autism in children has been limited even though three to four of every thousand individuals are affected.

Other investigators at Yale include Ami Klin, Rhea Paul, Kasia Chawarska, Katherine Tsatsanis, and Robert Schultz.