Children's Hospital Colorado

Developmental Pediatrics Research

Our Neuroscience Institute's developmental pediatrics research team conducts innovative research that focuses on autism spectrum disorders, sex chromosome aneuploidy and fragile X syndrome.

As a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities, our developmental pediatrics research and its JFK Partners program are dedicated to advancing research for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Our ongoing developmental pediatric studies

We're involved with a variety of studies to support children with developmental pediatric conditions. Below are a few of our current studies:

  • eXtraordinarY Babies Study: Through this study, our team evaluates the early health and development of infants and children with sex chromosome disorders and follows them as they grow up. In this study, we will closely evaluate and track developmental skills, medical problems, hormone levels, body composition, and other important factors such as family history, interventions and family quality of life.
  • Fragile X LEARN Trial: As part of the Fragile X LEARN Trial, funded by the NIH NeuroNext program, our researchers are studying whether specific medications can lead to improvements in language and cognitive outcomes for fragile X patients.
  • Fragile X Registry With Accessible Research Database (FORWARD): As a participant in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FORWARD study, a national database of 1000+ people with fragile X and their families, we are looking to understand the development, health problems, medication treatments and interventions throughout the lifespan of individuals with fragile X.

It starts with a Q:

For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health. 

Discover more in Q:

"When we first launched, the eXtraordinarY Kids Clinic was the only clinic of its kind in the country."
Nicole Tartaglia, MD

About our developmental pediatrics partnerships

We have a robust developmental pediatrics research portfolio supported by a variety of funders in several areas, including autism spectrum disorders, sex chromosome aneuploidy, fragile X syndrome and developmental disabilities. We're the site lead for Colorado for the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network.

JFK Partners research

JFK Partners is a fully integrated program within our Developmental Pediatrics Program that is focused on training, leadership, collaboration and clinical excellence. We participate in descriptive, epidemiological, clinical and health services research, which contributes to the knowledge base regarding the health and well-being and education of persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) study

We are the clinical site in Colorado for the SPARK autism project. SPARK is an online research partnership involving 50,000 individuals with autism and their families. By building a national cohort of 50,000 individuals with autism and their families, SPARK will be the largest autism genetic research cohort in the U.S. The goal of this study is to advance research and understanding of autism.

Fragile X research partners

We are also a member of the National Fragile X Foundation's Fragile X Clinical and Research Consortium.

What our developmental pediatrics research means for kids

Our research team is dedicated to improving health and quality of life for children with developmental disabilities and their families, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, sex chromosome aneuploidy and fragile X syndrome.

Learn more about the Neuroscience Institute.

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