Charge Study

Uncovering environmental causes of autism

CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment) was launched in 2003 as a study of 1,000 to 2,000 children with differing patterns of development. The goal is to better understand the causes and contributing factors for autism or developmental delay. Three groups of children are being enrolled in the CHARGE study: children with autism, children with developmental delay who do not have autism and children from the general population. All of them are evaluated for a broad array of exposures and susceptibilities. 

Refining our understanding of environment-gene interactions

Little is known about what causes autism or developmental delay. We will learn how genes and the environment interact to change children’s behaviors and skills. By studying a large number of children, we will discover which particular genes and/or environmental exposures might result in non-typical patterns of development and special subtypes of autism or developmental delay. 

The participants

Children enrolled in the study must:

• Be between 24 and 60 months of age
• Have been born in California
• Have parents who speak either English or Spanish
• Live with at least one biological parent

Children with autism or developmental delay are identified with assistance from the California Department of Developmental Services’ Regional Centers. Other children come from the community at large. 

The evaluation

Children are assessed for their stage of social, intellectual and behavioral development. In addition, information is collected about chemicals in the environment at home and elsewhere, medical history, diet and other aspects of their lives, before and after birth. We also look at factors that may affect brain development, including cells in the immune system, chemicals that regulate the nervous system and lipids such as cholesterol.

Assessments are performed at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento and an extensive interview is conducted by telephone.

More INFORMATION:  http://beincharge.ucdavis.edu/

So What Am I Doing Exactly?

Thank you for stopping by. I plan on this being somewhat of a simple blog. I decided to travel the US using just $100 a week. I know that barely gets me from point A to point B but I plan on stopping frequently and taking photos of various places. My journey, began in Virginia and so far I have been to Tennessee, Kentucky, Indianapolis, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, and California (as well as others in between)... Unfortunately due to a big winter storm I did not get into canada or washington.

I am traveling with my dog, dobie, who always enjoys a road trip and definitely travels easy since he only weighs 18lbs and sleeps a lot. Many nights I will be sleeping in my car and others I will be hopefully crashing on friends’ couches. In my journey I am sure I will find out what those showers in truck stops look like (which I must admit I am slightly afraid to see) and relying on the kindness of friends.

I left Virginia on November 2nd and was thankful to make it to California in time for Thanksgiving, so I actually got to spend thanksgiving with people I know. Christmas may be a different story as I am unsure where I will be at that time. I may be spending Christmas in my car with my dog... No worries I'll be sure santa still visits him.

All photos will be available for sale. Pending on the size of a print you want and if you want it framed and matted depends on the cost of the photo, so please inquire about photos you are interested in. Please keep in mind that I will be donating all proceeds to two things for autism... one is the Autism Society which these funds help with the costs of research on finding a cure and ways to help autistic children and families. The second will go to Families in Need with Autistic Children. If you know someone with Autism or a family that has an Autistic child you know that this is very expensive. Not all families can afford the care.

After leaving Southern California I plan on starting a zig zag trail back to the east coast... first stop the Grand Canyon.