Ask Me Anything: The Future of SPARK and Autism Research

In this webinar, Dr. Wendy Chung, principal investigator of the SPARK study, gives an overview of the study and where autism research is headed. Dr. Chung also answers many of your questions about autism, genetics, and autism research.

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[ninaleach]

What are the real goals of this research? How will it actually benefit autistic people? What is the significance of DNA testing with reference to how this will actually help autistic people? I understand the benefit of genetic research into comorbidities but it seems that this is not the goal of this research. It's important to me as an autistic adult to be respected as an authentic human being and not a broken one. I understand that some individuals will have many more needs than others and all needs of different levels need to be directly addressed and supported appropriately. We don't want to presume that autism is a bad thing, something to be cured or irradicated and as our current assessment is centred on deficits, it does seem to infer that autism is at least something to be corrected. The misunderstanding of autism is basically that the presumption is that if an autistic person doesn't appear to be understanding, communicating, listening that they need to learn how to do it in a non autistic way. Stimming, avoiding eye contact, moving around etc. are all seen as a child not paying attention but in fact that's how most of us can concentrate.

Important spectrum is not linear! Functioning is not at different points on that non existent can function well in one area and badly in another! We're all of us, autistic or unique strengths and weaknesses!

[jodydavis]

I would like to know if you still only take and research children or teens not any young adults or adults and like to know the reason why because we need help to and it bothers me tremendously thank you

[saralewis]

Can you sign up if you have most to all symptoms but no diagnoses because of no insurance?

[jodydavis]

I just added a comment and I don’t see it can someone check it out

[niconicoyazawa]

I'm a teen with autism who dosent trust their parents to make an account. When I tried to make one there was no options for teens who want to sign up by their self. You gotta make it safe for teens who don't like their parents to make an account.