Neurodevelopmental markers of late autism diagnosis
Autism Center of Excellence Network: Neurodevelopmental Biomarkers of Late Diagnosis in Autism
This project uses interviews, self-report tools, behavior and brain measures plus AI to find signs that explain why some autistic teens and young adults are diagnosed late.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11393553 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will work with autistic people, especially ages 16–30, combining a long-running group of participants with new recruits who were diagnosed after age 12. You would complete self-report questionnaires (including the Self-Assessment of Autistic Traits), cognitive and behavioral tests, and interviews about your experiences, and some participants may have brain or biological measures taken. The team will use qualitative analysis and AI-based methods to look for patterns that predict late diagnosis. Stakeholders including autistic people and family members will help shape the tools so they are practical and acceptable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are autistic teens and young adults (about 16–30 years old), especially those whose first autism diagnosis happened after age 12 or who suspect they were diagnosed late.
Not a fit: People without an autism diagnosis, children under 16, or those unable to complete self-report or interview activities are unlikely to benefit directly from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could produce a practical screening tool to help identify autistic people who missed earlier diagnosis so they can access supports sooner.
How similar studies have performed: The work builds on the ACE Network and the SAAT self-report tool which show promise, but combining interviews, behavioral/brain measures, and AI to predict late diagnosis is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pelphrey, Kevin a — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Pelphrey, Kevin a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.