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CHOP Joins Nationwide Survey Seeking Autism Answers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has joined the largest ever genetics study on autism.

The hope now: effected families will get involved.

The study is called SPARK, an acronym for the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research Knowledge.

"We've been trying to collect as much DNA and genetic information on individuals with autism as possible," says Doctor Juhi Pandey with the Center for Autism at CHOP.

She says this study will hopefully generate information from 50,000 individuals dealing with autism across the country:

"We're going to, with the DNA, with the genetic DNA, make some really important conclusions about the causes of autism."

Families can sign up for free here.

CHOP is one of 20 research hospitals nationwide taking part in the survey.

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