SPARK offers a wide range of resources to power autism research. This includes large datasets available to approved researchers via SFARI Base. See each of these pages for more information on available data and how to access it.

• Genomic data: This includes information from whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing on probands with autism and their family members.
• Phenotypic data: This includes detailed responses to standardized and custom surveys assessing background history, developmental milestones and other clinical and behavioral features.

Our Researcher Welcome Packet further outlines the types of available data and how to access it.

About SPARK

SPARK (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research) is an autism research study and a growing community of individuals with autism, their families, and researchers aiming to advance the understanding of autism. SPARK’s mission is to improve the lives of people with autism by identifying the causes of autism and supporting research that informs more effective therapies, treatments, services, and supports. To date, SPARK has engaged over 157,771 people with autism and 222,906 of their family members, making it the largest ever study of the disorder.

SPARK is funded by the Simons Foundation and Simons Foundation International. The program includes collaboration with 31 university-affiliated research clinics in 26 states across the U.S.  In addition, numerous national and local autism community organizations across the U.S. partner with SPARK to help recruit participants and spread the word about this landmark study.

Since SPARK launched in 2016, there have been over 173 publications that use SPARK-powered data. A summary of findings from SPARK’s first five years is available in this progress report.

View SPARK’s scientific advisory board.

For Participants

Participation in this cohort involves the contribution of medical and behavioral information, the option to mail in saliva for genetic analysis, the option to have genetic findings related to autism returned, and the ability to be recontacted to participate in future research studies, both online and in participants’ local communities. Families interested in participating should visit SPARKforAutism.org to learn more and get started.

Participants with certain genetic findings from SPARK will be invited to join SPARK’s companion collection, Simons Searchlight. Simons Searchlight is a “gene-first” research program that works with families and researchers around the world to accelerate research on autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders where there is a known genetic cause.

Read SPARK participant stories.

Research Match

Research Match is a service that enables approved researchers to contact participants from SFARI autism cohorts, including SPARK, for recruitment into new research studies.

Since Research Match launched in July 2017, more than 300 studies have been conducted with participants recruited through this service.27 projects of these projects are currently in progress. More than 65,500 families have responded to study invitations. In addition, 112 peer-reviewed papers have been published based on studies recruiting participants through Research Match, and many Research Match datasets are available on SFARI Base for analysis by other investigators.

The SPARK Recruitment Process Document provides answers to many frequently asked questions about conducting Research Match studies.