SPARK for Autism

Discover SPARK

What Is Your SPARK Dashboard?

Date Published: May 15, 2020

When you join SPARK, you will get access to a personal dashboard that keeps important information about the study and more opportunities to participate all in one place. The dashboard has a list of surveys that you can complete, a saliva kit tracker that tells you the status of your saliva sample, a section for any invitations that you might have sent, and copies of all of your study documents. The dashboard also provides resources, videos, and articles about autism. You can access your study dashboard by logging in on the SPARK website. On the dashboard, you can update your contact information and remind people who you invited to participate in SPARK to enroll.

What are SPARK Surveys?

SPARK surveys gather important information, such as behaviors and skill levels, that will help SPARK and other researchers to better understand autism. SPARK also uses the information you enter to match you to additional autism research studies through its research matching program.

When you complete certain surveys, you will receive Amazon.com gift card codes. For some surveys, you will receive a personalized report showing how your child or dependent compares to the general population and the broader SPARK community.

What Surveys are Available?

  • Basic medical screening survey
    • Includes questions about pregnancy, birth complications, medical issues, and developmental and behavioral conditions
  • Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)*
    • Confirms the presence of signs of autism in all children including siblings
    • After you complete this survey, you will receive a personalized report comparing your child or dependent to the general population and to SPARK participants
  • Background history survey
    • Includes questions about demographics, development, and other family members who have autism
    • To receive a gift card code, be sure to also complete the coordination and repetitive behavior surveys
    • One gift card code per family
  • Coordination survey*
    • Includes questions about motor coordination challenges
    • After you complete this survey, you will receive a personalized report showing your child’s motor skills and comparing your child to others in SPARK
    • To receive a gift card code, be sure to also complete the background history and repetitive behavior surveys
    • One gift card code per family
  • Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R)*
    • Measures the amount and impact of repetitive interests and behaviors
    • After you complete this survey, you will receive a personalized report comparing your child to others in SPARK
    • To receive a gift card, be sure toalso complete the background history and coordination surveys
    • One gift card code per family
  • Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3)*
    • Includes questions about your child’s development of everyday skills
    • After you complete this survey, you will receive a personalized report showing your child’s skills and comparing your child to others in SPARK
    • One gift card code per child
  • Sibling update
    • Gathers an update on siblings who may have received a new diagnosis of autism
  • Aging up update
    • Allows children who turn 18 to continue participating in SPARK

How Do Researchers Use Information from SPARK Surveys?

Researchers use this information to study different aspects of autism. Several studies have already been published, and more are underway.

  • Basic medical screening survey
    • Dr. Eric Fombonne from Oregon Health and Science University used data from this survey to look at mental health issues in autistic adults who have autism. More information is available here.
  • Social Communication Questionnaire
    • Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche used data from this survey to assess non-drug treatment in people who have autism. More information is available here.
  • Coordination survey
    • Dr. Anjana Bhat from the University of Delaware used data from this survey to look at motor issues in autism. More information is available here.
  • Background history survey
    • A study on sex differences using information from this survey is underway.

Resources

*Survey Copyrights and Publishers

  • Social Communication Questionnaire copyrighted by Western Psychological Services
  • Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3) copyrighted by Pearson
  • Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised published by Bodfish
  • Coordination survey is published by Wilson

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