Research Studies
A note for parents/caregivers and Autistic individuals interested in participating:
The following studies below are seeking participants! Some of these studies are a small time commitment and are research-based questionnaires only, while other studies may take place over a few months and include therapy, parent/caregiver training or coaching, or some other form of Autism support, therapy, or guidance. A few studies may involve compensation or a chance to get a gift card, which will be noted below.
Researchers: Do you want to post a study?
Please read our information on how to post a study here: https://tinyurl.com/StudyAST
The Autism Society of Texas has no affiliation with the organizations below and does not endorse or approve studies. All questions and concerns about studies should be directed to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or the poster of the study. Thank you!
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Featured Studies
The following organizations have made a donation to the Autism Society of Texas to be included in our “Featured Studies” section. We are grateful for donations that support our staff time and help us assist the Texas Autism community!
Baylor University
The purpose of this study is to understand family quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder.
End date of study enrollment period is 03/31/2026.
Time required for the study: 20-30 minutes, and a follow up 5 minute survey two weeks later
Compensation: Chance to enter in a raffle to win one of two amazon gift cards ($25)
Baylor University is conducting a research project that invites caregivers
of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to participate in an
An online study about family life.
Who is eligible:
-You’re 18+, English-speaking, and your child’s legal guardian
-Your child is 3–12 and has an ASD diagnosis by a healthcare provider
-If you have multiple children with ASD, please answer about the first child
diagnosed (age 3–12)
Contact: Anna Milliken, email: anna_milliken1@baylor.edu, phone: 508-246-0800
More Information: Click Here
Grand Canyon University
The purpose of this study is to describe how parents of children on the autism spectrum think and feel about ABA, Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)or a combination to help their children with their social skills.
End date of study enrollment period is: 04/30/2026
Time required for study: 2 hours of which a 60-90 minute interview is the longest activity.
Compensation: Participants who completed at least a 60-90-minute interview and transcript review will receive a $25 gift card via email.
The purpose of this study is to describe how parents of children on the autism spectrum think and feel about ABA, Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)or a combination to help their children with their social skills.
More Information: Click Here
Phone: 949-898-0654
Contact Info: Diana Verbeem (aka Diana Floris-Verbeem), Email: dverbeem@my.gcu.edu
Cook’s Children’s Health Care System
The purpose of the study is to investigate the neural correlates of sensory and emotional processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
End date of study enrollment period is 12/31/2028
Time required for the study: 3 visits, 1 hour/visit
Compensation: $100 Gift Card
Cook Children’s Neuroscience Research Center in Fort Worth, Texas is recruiting children ages 6-19 diagnosed with, and also without, autism spectrum disorder to participate in a brain imaging research study!
What to Expect:
• Three short, ~1-hour visits.
• Potential compensation for participation.
• Flexible scheduling, including after-school and weekend options.
• School excuse notes available.
Study Details:
• We use non-invasive, radiation-free brain imaging (MEG, EEG, and MRI).
• Study is observational only – no medications or interventions given.
• Unfortunately, children with braces or permanent metal implants cannot participate.
Why Participate?
• Learn more about the brain and careers in neuroscience, engineering, and medicine.
• Contribute to research that can help other children with autism.
We welcome questions from interested young scientists!
Connect with us:
Email: Jane.Townsend@cookchildrens.org
Text: 682-715-5026
The University of Texas at Dallas
The purpose of the study is to understand what types of language input helps autistic children learn vocabulary.
End date of study enrollment period is 03/30/2027
Time required for the study: 2 hours for the first study appointment, 3 hours for the second study appointment
Compensation: Yes, participants may receive up to $200 in form of a prepaid debit card.
Our study seeks to improve vocabulary learning in young autistic children. During the first visit, we will assess your child’s language and cognition, and you can receive a report summarizing their performance. During the second visit, your child will watch short videos and play with the experimenter to learn words. There is an optional follow up part, in which you record home language samples and receive a report detailing your child’s language environment. We have a flexible schedule and will provide free parking and childcare for siblings, and families can earn up to $200 for participation.
More Information: Click Here
Contact Info: Aline Guerrero, Phone: 972-883-2427, email: lilac.lab@utdallas.edu
The University of Texas at Austin, The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk
The purpose of the study is to improve reading comprehension of students with autism in grades 4th thru 8th.
End date of study enrollment period is 01/31/2026
Time required for the study: 153 hours for 10-12 weeks
Compensation: None
Project READ-ASD tests a reading intervention program, and tutoring routines designed to help students with Autism in grades 4–8 improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary. Students enrolled in Project READ can get one-on-one reading tutoring for 50 lessons, each lasting 30 minutes. Other students will be randomly assigned as a comparison. Those students will not receive any tutoring. There is an opportunity for them to be waitlisted to receive Project READ later. All students do participate in screening (15-30 min), pre-testing, post-testing, and follow-up testing. Tutoring is provided on a student’s home campus with district/campus approval required.
More Information: https://meadowscenter.org/project/initial-efficacy-trial-project-read/
Contact Info: Colleen Reutebuch, Phone: 512-971-4076 email: ckreutebuch@austin.utexas.edu
Studies
University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks of Social Work Texas Center for Disability Studies
The purpose of this study is to help us learn more about the healthcare experiences of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
End date of study enrollment period is 05/31/2026.
Time required for the study: Two 1 hour virtual interview sessions for youth with IDD, 1 hour virtual interview session for caregivers
Compensation: Each will receive a gift card for participation in each session
We are recruiting youth (12-26 years) with an intellectual or developmental disability from racial/ethnic minority communities to participate with their caregiver or primary support person! Do you want to help improve healthcare for people with disabilities?
Contact: Sandra Vanegas, email: Sandra.Vanegas@austin.utexas.edu, phone: 512-475-7203
University of Texas at Austin
The purpose of this study is to improve cognition, mood, memory with photobiomodulation.
End date of study enrollment period: 01/01/2026
Time required for the study: 3 hours at UT, and 8 weeks at home 10 min
Participant Compensation: $400.00
We are recruiting adults, adolescents, and children (ages 4-60) with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate to study “Effects of Transcranial Infrared Light Stimulation on Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder” Compensation: Adult participants and parents/guardians of adolescents and children receive $400 total for 2 in-person visits, and 8 weeks of participation at home. Adolescents and children receive their choice of a toy or $10 gift card for each in-person visit.
Web link for more information on the study: https://labs.la.utexas.edu/gonzalez-lima/participate-in-our-research/
Contact: Gabriela Guimaraes Email: gabrielamd@utexas.edu. Phone: 225-472-6993
University of Houston Cognitive Development Lab
The purpose of this study is to explore the visual experiences of children with or at high-risk of autism spectrum disorder during social play with their parents.
End date of study enrollment period is September 16th, 2026
Time required for the study: 1-4 hours
Participants will be given a $20 Amazon Gift Card, Family Passes to the Children’s Museum of Houston, and Gift-Bundle (T-shirt, Books, Crayons, Stickers, etc).
The UH Cognitive Development Lab invites families with children between the ages of 3 months and 5.11 years to participate in our exciting research project! We are specifically looking for children with autism, children that have a sibling with autism, and/or children suspected of having autism. This project consists of a parent-child play session, and depending on the age of your child: a motor test, a vocabulary test, an IQ test, and/or the ADOS-2 (a gold-standard autism diagnostic test). Compensation will be provided alongside a full summary of your child’s results on the tests.
For more information, email Elizabeth Perkovich at esperkovich@uh.edu.
Speech Studies
California Northstate University
The purpose of this study is to learn more about factors that affect AAC use in the home.
End date of study enrollment period is: 02/11/2026
Time required for study: 15-20 minutes
Compensation: None
I am looking to recruit parents/caregivers of non-verbal, minimally verbal and/or late speaking AAC users with autism. This study is aimed to better understand the use of AAC devices (speech aids) in the home. Factors like behavior, outside support and frequency of use will be surveyed to better understand barriers that families experience when using these devices.
More Information: Click Here
If you have any questions, please contact Evan Satlin at: evansatlin@gmail.com
Phone: 310-721-3281
Parent/Caregiver Coaching Studies
University of Texas at San Antonio
The purpose of this study is pilot an innovative model to support caregiver-led communication training.
End date of study enrollment period is: 01/31/2026
Time required for study: Up to 9 hours total across no more than 2 months
Compensation: $50 Tango gift card
The BehaviorBuddy project through ABA at UTSA is offering free online caregiver training to families of autistic children aged 2-12 years old with beginner vocal skills. Families receive one-on-one training with a BCBA around the family’s schedule. The training focuses on supporting emerging vocal communication in natural settings.
More Information: www.abautsa.com/BehaviorBuddy
If you have any questions, please contact Haley Tapia at: aba.utsa@gmail.com
Phone Contact: 210-370-7026
University of Texas at Dallas – Social Communication Lab
We want to know if Pathways parent coaching program can help improve your child’s attention, connection with others, language, and daily skills.
End date of study: 12/31/2025
Time required for the study: 9 months
Compensation: Participants receive free intervention for their child.
Are you interested in helping your child improve their attention, connection with others, language, and daily skills? Join our study to see how the Pathways Parent Coaching Program can make a difference! Our clinicians will visit your home weekly to teach you effective strategies to interact with your child and support their growth. This is a great opportunity to gain personalized coaching that could have a lasting impact on your child’s development. Sign up today to be a part of this exciting program!
Contact: Chrislove Ulysse, email: chrislove.ulysse@utdallas.edu, phone: 972-883-3134
Additional Information: Click Here
Other Studies and Categories
Montclair State University’s Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab
The purpose of the study: We are seeking Black/African American and Latinx parents of autistic children aged 3-21 yers old to participate in a study looking into experiences of stigma and quality of life.
End date of study: 02/01/2026
Time required for the study: 30 minutes
Compensation: $10 electronic gift card
We are seeking Black/African American and Latinx parents of autistic children aged 3-21 yers old to participate in a study looking into experiences of stigma and quality of life. We want to better understand how autism stigma may show up in these communities and determine how it may impact quality of life for autistic children and their families. We ultimately want to identify ways to disrupt stigma and improve quality of life for families.
Contact: Mary Isaac Cargill, email: cargillm1@montclair.edu, phone: 540-494-4855
Email: vrinda.somisetty.221@k12.friscoisd.org
Sensory & Motor Behavior Studies
Grand Canyon University
The purpose of this study is to describe how parents of children on the autism spectrum think and feel about ABA, Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)or a combination to help their children with their social skills.
End date of study: 04/30/2026
Time required for the study: 2 hours of which a 60-90 minute interview is the longest activity.
Compensation: Participants who completed at least a 60-90-minute interview and transcript review will receive a $25 gift card via email.
Study Title: Parents’ Reflections on Interventions to Improve Social Skills for Children With Autism. The purpose is to describe how parents of children with autism experience or have experienced therapies to help their children with social skills. The parents I am looking for are familiar with ABA and/or the Early Start Denver Model. The informed consent form in SurveyMonkey explains everything; unless you sign, there will be no record that you read it. Participating is completely voluntary. Your insights can help with understanding what works best for families.
Contact: Diana Verbeem (aka Diana Floris-Verbeem), email: dverbeem@my.gcu.edu, phone: 949-898-0654
More Information: Click Here
Social Media and Friendships Studies
University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School
The purpose of the study is to understand how social experiences and emotion regulation influence emotional well-being in adolescent girls with and without autism.
End date of study: 12/06/2026
Time required for the study: One 2.5-3.5 hr In-person visit; followed by weeklong survey check ins (4 times a day, 2-5 min each) every 3 months for 2 years
Compensation: Yes, participants can get gift cards for participating in our study following an incentive schedule.
Researchers at UT Austin are studying how social experiences and emotions relate to mood in adolescent girls, both with and without autism. Girls ages 14–16 can participate through one in-person visit and brief smartphone surveys over two years. By learning how girls feel and cope in their daily lives, this study aims to identify ways to better support emotional well-being for adolescent girls. Participation is completely voluntary and participants will receive compensation for their time and contributions.
Contact: Anusha Sharma, email: anusha.sharma@austin.utexas.edu, phone: 737-206-9068
More Information: Click Here
Academic Studies
University of Texas at Austin
The purpose of the study is to advance an understanding of whether an Acceptance Commitment Therapy based self management intervention can teach academic task submission with college students/ post-secondary students with ASD
End date of study: 02/27/2026
Time required for the study: 1 hour for 6 sessions (daily electronic form submissions for 5 days which is faded to weekly submissions) Study may take 2 – 3 months in total
Compensation: None
The transition to college after high school can be difficult. Timely homework submission and management can be hard – especially in college! This study will incorporate techniques such as identifying your values and self-management techniques to see if it will help with timely homework submission. If you or anyone you know is struggling with timely management of homework, this study may help!
Contact: Louise Ng, email: lng4@utexas.edu, phone: 608-709-6196
More Information: Click Here
More studies coming soon! Please check back as we will update studies monthly!