Andrea Simon is the research coordinator for the SPARK study at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Robin Kochel is an assistant professor of pediatric psychology at the Baylor College of Medicine and associate director for research for the autism center at the Texas Children's Hospital. She is the principal investigator for SPARK. Judy Blake is the Mother of a 21 year old son living with autism and she is the program coordinator for The Family to Family Network.
The SPARK study will collect information and DNA for genetic analysis from 50,000 individuals with autism and their families in order to advance our understanding of this condition and to help develop better support systems and treatments. It's a fascinating conversation with a lot of information you can find on their website: www.sparkforautism.org/texaschildrens or text "SPARK" to 555888 and you will receive the information directly on your phone.