BabySteps Study Focuses on Autism Spectrum Disorder at Iowa Health Care

The University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development is researching how pregnancy, early childhood experiences, and genetic factors influence child development, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), home to Iowa’s Hawk IDDRC, UCEDD and LEND program, is conducting a remote research study looking at pregnancy, early childhood experiences, and genetic factors that influence child development, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Leading the BabySteps study is Lane Strathearn, MBBS, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Psychological and Brain Sciences at Iowa Health Care. Strathearn is co-director of the Hawk-IDDRC and physician director at CDD. Study researchers are recruiting remote participants nationwide to track their pregnancy and their child’s early development through at-home activities using a cell phone.

Link to the BabySteps application survey for details about what will happen during the study and apply.