Project Affinity

Boston University researchers are conducting a study to learn how kids on the autism spectrum (ages 5-12) engage with their focused interests in their everyday lives. Focused interests are interests in a narrow field of subjects that your child regularly engages in, like TV show, movie and book characters, animals, twirling string, historical figures, and etc. We are interested in how these focused interests are viewed by their family, community and service providers (e.g., school teachers, doctors, etc.).

Who can participate:

• Parents of 5- to 12-year-old autistic children

What will I do?

• Participate in two appointments
  1. A telephone call, including a half hour interview about your background and your child’s communication and daily living skills
  2. A second interview about your child’s focused interest (about 60 minutes), either online or in-person.
• Fill out a brief survey

How will I benefit?

• Participants will receive a report on their child’s current social and communication profile

Participants will receive a $50 gift card for completing the study.

To learn more or to participate, email us at jayw@bu.edu or text/call at (781) 627-5552.