RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

A team of researchers at Towson University and Loyola College are conducting a research project to improve input techniques for individuals with Down syndrome. They are recruiting individuals with Down syndrome who are 15 years or older in Maryland and Southeast Pennsylvania (i.e., York, Lancaster, etc.). Participants are required to have prior experience with computers. In this study, participants will answer questionnaires and enter some text into a computer using different input techniques. The study can be completed at a location that’s convenient to the participants (e.g., participant’s home, school, a clinic, etc.). The study will take up to two hours. Each participant will receive $50 to compensate for his/her time and effort. If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact Ruimin Hu at: rhu1@towson.edu, or 717-203-2416, or 717-898-0613.

The Kennedy Krieger Institute is recruiting children with Down syndrome to participate in an NIH-funded study to identify genetic and environmental factors related to congenital heart disease in Down syndrome. The study will be conducted at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, as well as at Emory University in Atlanta. For more information, please contact Charnan Koller, Research Coordinator, at koller@kennedykrieger.org or 443/923-9131 or 800/873-3377, extension 9131.

Vanderbilt University is currently offering 7 studies related to Down syndrome. Studies involve individuals of different ages. Two work with siblings and one involves parents of individuals with Down syndrome. Click here for a quick guide to these studies and a link to more information.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute is recruiting children with Down syndrome, who are between the ages of 36 and 54 months to participate in a study looking at the development of memory and learning in children. The study requires two visits, each lasting approximately 2.5 hours, where your child will participate in play-based, structured activities. One additional parent visit is needed to complete parent interviews, however, these interviews can be done over the phone. For your participation, you will receive a written report of your child’s development on the standardized assessments. There is no charge to participate. If you are interested in participating, please contact our research hotline at 1-877-850-3372. This phone number is connected to a voicemail box that is checked daily by one of our research staff. Please leave a message stating that you are interested in the “Development of Relational Awareness” study along with your contact information and we will return your call. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9PcSEcLZbbEXiYGmlWussw_3d_3d
We hope you'll participate in this online survey for a research project at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. This study is looking at the ways parenting a child with a disability may lead to personal growth. Surprisingly there are almost no studies that look at the ways the experience can strengthen people, while there is plenty of research that looks at negative outcomes for parents. This study will provide for a more balanced understanding of how having a child with a disability can change a person's life.

Eligibility requirements are as follows: the parent completing the survey must be 18 years or older; and the parent must have a child between the ages of 8 and 25 with a diagnosis of one (and only one) of the following: Angelman syndrome, autism, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, or Williams syndrome.

You may participate in the study by clicking on of the following link. The survey may take between 45 minutes to an hour, so be sure to set aside time to take part!