Study to Explore Early Development (SEED)

The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) is a multi-year study funded by CDC.  It is currently the largest study in the United States to help identify factors that may put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities.  Understanding the risk factors that make a person more likely to develop an ASD will help us learn more about the causes. 

 

What is SEED?

Watch this video to learn more.

Why is SEED Important?

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SEED Fact Sheet

SEED is being conducted in diverse communities across the country. There are sites in California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

 

 

SEED Newsletters

• Summer 2012
• Winter 2012
• Summer 2011
• Winter 2011
• Summer 2010
• January 2010
• Summer 2009

 

The research goals for SEED include learning about:

• Physical and behavioral characteristics of children with ASDs, children with other developmental disabilities, and children without a developmental delay or disability
  ASDs are a complex disorders. We want to learn more about why people with ASD are the way they are—how they behave, grow, think, and interact with the world around them. We also want to know the same things about children with other developmental disabilities and those with typical development.
  
  
• Health conditions among children with and without ASDs
  We are interested in learning more about the health conditions and disorders that might affect children with and without ASDs. Some smaller studies have shown that certain medical conditions seem to be found more often among children with ASDs and their families. SEED provides an opportunity to compare health conditions and health-related issues such as sleeping and eating patterns in children with ASDs, in children with other developmental disabilities, and in children without a developmental delay or disability.
  
  
• Factors associated with a child’s risk for developing ASDs
  We hope that SEED will give us a better idea which of the many possible risk factors that we will be evaluating seem to be associated with or related to ASDs. The risk factors may be related to genes, health conditions, experiences of the mother during pregnancy, and the health and development of the child during infancy and the first few years of life.
  
  

The study will include children with ASDs, children with other developmental disabilities, and children with typical development, ages 2-5 years. 

The six SEED study sites and a data coordinating center are part of the Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE) network.

To learn more, visit the SEED Frequently Asked Questions »