Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders

One in 59 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and autism affects persons of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups: like other mental illnesses, it does not discriminate. There are lots of resources out there for parents, and a lot of research has been done on autism in children. However, these children with autism inevitably become adults – and that’s where the existing research stops. That’s where Sheppard Pratt steps in: we are building one of the world’s largest databases of adults with neurodevelopmental disorders so we can use data to learn what treatments and interventions are working and to see exactly where we can help to advance the field.

Leveraging an innovative approach to research and novel technology to learn more about adults with autism spectrum disorder. We are collecting data where it matters most - at the point of care. And through our use of emerging technology, we are able to see our data and measure progress instantaneously, meaning immediate action and better outcomes for those we serve. We collect real-time and longitudinal data from patients at our Neuropsychiatry Program. Subjects participate in state-of-the-art assessments, and we also used data obtained from videotaping and wearable devices so we can get a truly holistic understanding of our patients. In addition, we take samples of DNA and blood so we can research any biological and genetic foundations of someone's illness.