UCSD Autism Center of Excellence: SPARK Study

Hannah Kaplan
SPARK Research Coordinator
UCSD Autism Center of Excellence
858-534-6906
www.sparkforautism.org/ucsd.sarrc
h1kaplan@ucsd.edu

Our center is currently a part of a large autism research study called SPARK that includes both biological parents and child diagnosed with ASD. SPARK seeks to speed up autism research and improve our understanding of autism. This includes learning what causes autism and how best to treat it. Our goal is to build a community of 50,000 individuals with autism and their biological family members. 

Our Goal:  SPARK seeks to speed up research and improve our understanding of autism.  This includes learning what causes autism and how best to treat it. UCSD ACE and over 20 of the nation’s leading medical schools and autism research centers are part of this effort.

What We Do:  SPARK researchers study genes and information collected from thousands of people with autism and, if possible, their parents.  We hope you will join us!

How To Join

• Sign-up online at www.sparkforautism.org/ucsd.sarrc. It only takes about 20 minutes.
• Complete a few questionnaires online.
• Provide a saliva sample. We will send a small saliva collection kit to your home. When you are done, simply mail it back to us for free. 
• *If you are promoted with: “Were you referred by a university, hospital, or registry?” Please select UCSD SARRC!*

There is no cost to take part in SPARK. The research is sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). If you have any questions about the study, let me know and I would be more than happy to discuss them either by email or phone. You can respond to this email or call Hannah Kaplan directly at (858)-534-6906.

Learn More & Sign Up