Pubertal and Psychological Development in Girls with ASD
Official title: Pubertal, Psychological and Physiological Development in Females with Autism
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11330537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study following girls with autism as they go through puberty to understand how puberty timing affects their mental and physical health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $450,424 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107695-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Girls around the onset of puberty who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Prepubertal girls without ASD or post-pubertal individuals may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how puberty starts and progresses in girls with autism and how these changes relate to mood, stress, and social interaction. Researchers will use real-world assessments of pubertal development, behavior, and brain-related processing to track changes over time. The goal is to identify patterns that may explain why puberty can be particularly challenging for females with ASD and to inform better support strategies. The findings could help families and clinicians anticipate needs and tailor interventions during this critical developmental period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to better guidance and support for girls with ASD during puberty, improving mental health and well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has identified differences in pubertal timing and stress responses in ASD, suggesting this approach could yield actionable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Corbett, Blythe Anne — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Corbett, Blythe Anne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Puberty and Development in Girls with Autism
This project explores how puberty affects girls with autism, including their physical, emotional, and social changes.
-
Understanding puberty and its effects on girls with autism
This study looks at how puberty affects girls with autism, exploring the changes they go through and the unique challenges they face, so we can better support their well-being during this important time.
-
Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
-
Sleep and daily rhythms and brain development in autism
Aiming to understand how sleep problems and daily activity patterns affect brain growth, thinking skills, daily functioning, and autism symptoms in children.
-
Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
A family-friendly study exploring how early sensory responses relate to language development in young children who have siblings with autism.
-
Mobile app to help family caregivers in Thailand manage distress
A mobile app called CAMMA would help family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand feel less depressed and anxious through a culturally tailored mental health support program.
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.