Date Published: October 3, 2024

Getting Started

You have received your SPARK saliva kit(s). Now what?  

First, read the Let’s Get Started/Saliva Collection Instructions that came as part of your kit. Here’s a PDF version of the saliva kit instructions.

SPARK mails one complete saliva collection kit to your home for each family member who has consented to provide a genetic/saliva sample.

IMPORTANT: Participants should only spit in the tube that came in the box addressed to them. Make sure the label with your name and date of birth is placed on your tube before you begin collecting your sample.

Do NOT eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for at least 30 minutes before spitting into your tube.

WAIT! If you are collecting saliva from your child and they recently turned 18, DO NOT collect their sample. Please contact info@SPARKforAutism.org for further instructions.

Help is Here

If you are having problems, or just want to see how you can collect a good saliva sample, please view SPARK’s saliva collection videos:

• View this video if you are collecting your own saliva.
• View this video If you are collecting a sample for someone who can’t spit. This will show you how to use the sponges included in the kit.

This SPARK article provides some tips that will help if you are collecting your child’s sample.

If you have any questions, read our FAQ, but don’t hesitate to contact SPARK.

What Have Other Families Experienced?

SPARK is always happy to hear what families have to say about their research experience. Here are some of the insights that our families provided about their experiences when they received genetic results from SPARK:

• Finding Answers for a Daughter’s Autism through Research
• An Unexpected Answer to an Autism Question
• When It’s More Than Autism: Bradley’s Story
• Radio Waves: The Autism Journey of John Graham

Researchers are exploring how families respond to the receipt of a genetic diagnosis. Here are two reports about what they are learning:

• The Whys of Autism: Parents See Mostly Benefits to Learning Their Child’s Autism is Genetic
• SPARK Research Match Summary Report: The Effect on Parents of Getting a Genetic Diagnosis for Their Child with Autism

Keeping your Sample and Information Safe

SPARK has many safeguards in place to make sure that your genetic sample, the data that we obtain from your sample, as well as any other information that you provide to SPARK, remains private and is used only in ways that you have agreed to. Refer to the Privacy section of our FAQ for details.