Krauzlis Lab Projects

Information for potential volunteers

What does the study involve?

Participants will be asked to sit in a quiet, dimly lit room and locate target images that appear on a computer screen using a keyboard or joystick. The task will be similar to playing a simple video game: target objects will be hidden within a visual setting that may also contain distractor images and background scenery. The goal of each level is to quickly identify the location of each target while ignoring the distractors. A camera will allow us to determine which areas of the screen participants prefer to look at throughout the game.

Your level of comfort is a priority, and we prefer to conduct the sessions in an environment that is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Therefore the sessions may take place either in our computer lab, in your home, or in another location of your preference. Each volunteer may participate in a variable number of sessions, which will typically last 1 hour, with breaks provided upon request.

This study will provide us with valuable information about how people with autism process the visual environment, scan a scene with their eyes, react to new stimuli, and pay attention to individual objects.

We will gladly share and explain the results of this study with participants and their parents.

Who can participate?

We are also looking for normal functioning adolescents (age 10 - 18yrs) as well as full siblings(age 12- 18) of people with an ASD diagnosis.

You will be compensated $10 per hour for your participation in this research. Free parking will be provided if you choose to visit our lab.

Participating in this research study provides you with the opportunity to take an active role in accelerating the pace of autism research.

With your help, we hope to better understand how people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) process visual information differently than other individuals.

This knowledge may may help us identify features of ASD that could lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Testing will be arranged to fit your schedule. We offer weekday, evening, and weekend appointments.