Knowing Your Baby Has Autism, Before Everyone Else
Julia knew her daughter had autism by the time the girl was only 1. How could she be so sure?
Learn MoreTopic: SPARK family stories
Since 2016, hundreds of thousands of people throughout the U.S. have joined SPARK. Many have shared their autism and research journeys with us. These family stories are about everyday life, triumphs, challenges, and why finding answers through SPARK’s autism research is important.
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After 18 Years, a Genetic Diagnosis
Carrie is one of the first SPARK participants to get a genetic result. Her mother, Lynn, says everything has changed and nothing has changed.
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Acting Out, In Need of Sleep
A parent uses SPARK resources to help her son during a challenging time at school.
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SCN2A: An Evolving Picture
The SCN2A gene has traditionally been linked to early-onset epilepsy. But new research suggests it might account for roughly 1 in 333 cases of autism.
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Finding New Treatments for Autism
Testing new therapies for autism can be a challenge. Psychiatrist Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele reviews available treatments, outlines some promising options on the horizon and describes how to get involved in research.
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A View From Both Sides: Scientist and Father
Kevin Pelphrey, director of the Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute at George Washington University, reflects on how having two children with autism has shaped his scientific career.
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A Father’s Tale
John Smigle says that participating in typical activities, like boy scouts and baseball, has helped his son Christopher, who has autism, develop social skills.
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In Genetic Diagnosis, a Path Forward
Discovering their son’s genetic diagnosis helps one family in many ways.
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Meet Amy Gravino
Amy Gravino was recently asked to take part in the SPARK online research partnership, and was both excited and apprehensive to hear about the study’s purpose and intended goals.
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Meet Sunghee Park
Sunghee Park and her family have a packed schedule. They participated in SPARK because online participation is perfect for her and her son.
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Meet Pam Kattouf
Pam Kattouf and her family want to accelerate research to discover better treatments for people with autism. They know that the more people that participate, the better research can be, and hope that many more will join SPARK.
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