Participate in a study
Postdoctoral researchers and graduate students receive in-depth training on evidence-based comprehensive diagnostic assessments and intervention approaches in order to conduct research studies through our Center. As such, they are especially committed to research that will improve access to critical services in low resource communities.
We welcome participation from community members in these research study opportunities. Oftentimes, participants receive services/assessments free of charge and/or may recieve a small stipend for completing their committment. Please read the opportunities below to see if any are a fit for you or your family.
We are providing diagnostic assessments to evaluate for autism in children 17 years of age or younger as part of a funded research project. Assessments will be free while funding remains available.
We are recruiting residents of the Cities of Bristol and Norton and the Counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise, Virginia with options for fully remote or hybrid assessments. Hybrid assessments have in-person options in either Abingdon, Clintwood, or Blacksburg.
To be added to our interest list, please fill out a quick survey here: https://tinyurl.com/3dvd8zfz
A project team member will contact you with more information and to determine if you and your child are eligible to participate.
Funding provided by the Rapha Foundation, Commonwealth Autism, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the VT College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation and the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia.
Virginia Tech IRB #24-359
Have a child between 2-12 years old? Concerned about them displaying behavior problems such as hyperactivity, tantrums, non-compliance, aggression or resistance to change?
Consider enrolling in our research study (IRB #23-261). The VT Child Study Center and the VT Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research aim to improve the quality of life for families of children with behavioral difficulties. This study will assess the feasbility, acceptability, and benefit of the Support BRANCH interactive website used in combination with clinician-delivered behavioral therapy as part of a stepped-care model for reducing child behavior problems and increasing parents' feelings of competency in supporting youth behavior.
THE DETAILS: Support BRANCH includes instructional videos, strategies to attempt, options of activities to try and reinforcement for effort through brief parent lessons to be completed over a month.
Support BRANCH can be accessed on a mobile device, tablet or computer.
The clinician-delivered behavioral therapy teaches parents ways to change their child's behavior by using positive reinforcement to decrease unwanted behaviors and promote adaptive and desired behaviors.
Complete ratings on parenting behaviors and child behavioral difficulties on multiple occassions.
Compensated up to $75 for completing all parts of the study.
If you would like to learn more about the study, please contact us at childstudycenter@gmail.com or 540-231-8276.
This secure registry is open to autistic individuals of any age and their parents and caregivers. Completing the online consent form and demographic survey enables our student clinicians to contact you about upcoming clinical service research that you or your family member may enroll in. http://j.mp/1HqgyYA
Are you an educator in a school system in Southwest Virginia? If so, stay tuned for information about recruitment for a future Spring 2026 cohort to participate in 8 free, virtual ECHO Autism4Ed professional development sessions. Recruitment will begin in January!
The ECHO Autism4Ed Program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate, grow, and transform your teaching practice—all while making a meaningful difference in your students’ lives! The Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, in partnership with the University of Virginia, is conducting a research study to explore the benefits of the ECHO professional development program. This group model, based on the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Autism4Ed tele-mentoring program, allows subject matter specialists to mentor general educators using videoconference technology, brief lecture presentations, guided practice, and collaborative case-based learning.