Wouldn’t it be great if your teen could improve his or her social skills, make friends, and get paid at the same time?

It’s possible! Project Rex is now welcoming teenagers with autism ages 12-17 to participate in the LENS “Learning Enhancement through Neurostimulation” study.

This study will examine whether brain stimulation paired with social skills learning can help teenagers with autism learn how to make and keep friends. Brain stimulation can enhance learning in some people.

The LENS study involves enrolling in a 14-week training program where teenagers with autism interact in small groups and learn social skills using the evidence-based PEERS protocol (UCLA Program for Education and Enhancement of Relational Skills).

During the 14-week program participants will receive active brain stimulation, or non-active stimulation (placebo).

Watch the Youtube video to view a demonstration of the brain stimulation process, featuring Dr. Gwynette as the LENS subject.

Before and after this training, MRI scans will be taken to see whether the training with active brain stimulation made a difference in brain activation.

For more information, contact Laura Lohnes at lohnes@musc.edu or 843-792-7709.