Key Learning Autism Center

Attn: Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living in West Virginia.

We're excited to invite you and your child to participate in a research study exploring how stress, puberty, and behavior are connected in children ages 7-13 who have ASD.

Research goals:
- Explore how stress hormones (cortisol) relate to behavior differences by age and gender in children with ASD.
- Examine how stages of puberty may influence cortisol levels and behavior.
- Test whether cortisol affects the relationship between age/puberty and changes in behavior.

What does participation involve?
- Completing a behavior questionnaire.
- Providing your child's cortisol samples (by rubbing inside mouth cheek with cotton swab).
- Sending materials to the WVU research team.

Why does your participation matter?
Your involvement will help us better understand how stress and puberty impact behavior in children with ASD. This knowledge may help guide future supports for healthy development.

Want to participate or learn more?
Reach out to Dr. Lesley Cottrell at 304-293-2914 or [email protected]

This study has been approved by the WVU Institutional Review Board (IRB).

WVU Health Sciences
WV Developmental Disabilities Council

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