Participants

We are looking for video of children on their first, second, and third birthdays. Again, if you only have one or two birthdays on video, it's not a problem.

Even though they'll appear in the videos as 1-3 year olds, participants can be pretty much any age today. We'd prefer, but don't necessarily require, individuals born in the last 18 years, however.

We are looking for kids from three different groups: kids with autism, kids with other kinds of developmental disabilities, and kids with typical developmen. Here are some specific criteria for participants:

Individuals with autism

  • need to have been diagnosed with autistic disorder or pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
  • cannot have a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, or childhood disintegrative disorder
  • need to have been diagnosed by a doctor, psychologist, or other licensed professional in the United States after July 1, 1994
  • cannot have significant vision, hearing, or physical impairments
  • cannot be wards of the state (including in foster care)

Individuals with other developmental disabilities

  • need to have been diagnosed with a nonspecific, generalized, or idiopathic developmental disability; mild to moderate mental retardation; or other general cognitive or developmental impairment. These cognitive or developmental impairments can be the result of syndromes like Down syndrome but cannot be the result of traumatic brain injury
  • need to have been diagnosed by a doctor, psychologist, or other licensed professional in the United States after July 1, 1994
  • cannot have a diagnosis of any autism spectrum disorder: autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, or childhood disintegrative disorder
  • cannot have any siblings diagnosed or suspected to have any of the autism spectrum disorders: autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, or childhood disintegrative disorder
  • cannot have significant vision, hearing, or physical impairments
  • cannot be wards of the state (including in foster care)

Individuals with typical development

  • cannot have a diagnosis of any autism spectrum disorder: autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, or childhood disintegrative disorder
  • cannot have a diagnosis of developmental delay or disability; mental retardation; or cognitive impairment
  • cannot have a diagnosis of a specific learning disability
  • family, teachers, or doctors should not have any concerns about the development, learning, or general cognitive ability about children in this group
  • siblings of children in this group should not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders or developmental delay/disability
  • cannot have significant vision, hearing, or physical impairments
  • cannot be wards of the state (including in foster care)