Many researchers, educators, physicians, parents, and other stakeholders that are committed to helping children achieve their full potential are supporting this study.
Partner Organizations
“AASA, the School Superintendents Association, is excited about the ABCD Study. As the first longitudinal study to follow 9 and 10 year olds for a decade to look at the impact of social, environmental, genetic, and other biological factors affecting brain and cognitive development, this study will impact how we educate young people for generations of school children to come. It is our hope that the study results will provide educators with new insight, strategies, and tools to elevate academic achievement so that all students graduate high school ready for college or career.”
– Dan Domenech, Executive Director, AASA
“The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is pleased to support the landmark ABCD Study on brain development and child health, which will answer many critical questions that can help us to help our students. The ABCD Study is a unique opportunity, not only because it will answer important questions about adolescent development that can inform how we educate our students, but because we can be instrumental in its success. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for educators, parents, and students to partner with leading scientists in answering many fundamental questions about adolescent health that can transform how we promote the health, wellbeing, and success of our children for years to come.”
– Gail Connelly, Executive Director Emeritus, NAESP
“The adolescent years are a time of remarkable growth. As children move across the teenage years, the brain changes rapidly. There are gaps in our understanding of how each child’s unique circumstances impact these important brain changes. We need research focused on how life experiences of children and adolescents impact their brain development. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study has the potential to expand our knowledge and inform how pediatricians can work with families to promote the optimal development of adolescents into fulfilled and productive adults.”
– Benard P. Dreyer, M.D., FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics
“The ABCD study of brain development and functioning in the adolescent years is an important and welcome investigation that will provide much needed and useful information that has the potential to influence educational, social, and medical interventions and to identify factors that might prevent unwanted and poor outcomes in the ADHD population.”
– Max Wiznitzer, M.D., Co-Chair of the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Professional Advisory Board
“Discovering how adolescents think and feel, through learning how their brains develop, is critically important to parents, teachers, doctors, and others who are seeking to improve children’s lives. The ABCD study will provide such information… I hope when parents are deciding whether or not their children should participate in the ABCD study they understand not only how it will contribute to the greater good, but also that their children will be well-cared for and will also have a sense of making a difference.”
– Richard Long, Ed.D., Executive Director, Learning First Alliance
“he American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is pleased to support the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. This study will go far in helping us to better understand the complexities of brain development.”
– Gregory K. Fritz, M.D., President, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
“This is an opportunity to contribute to one of the largest and most important scientific projects of our time. The results of the ABCD Study are expected to benefit future generations of children from all backgrounds. We encourage you to learn about the study, ask questions of NIH, and consider becoming a part of it.”
– Cynthia Belar, Ph.D., Interim Chief Executive Officer, American Psychological Association
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone who is committed to child health and education to help make scientific history by participating in this groundbreaking study for the benefit of future generations.”
– Lee Lowery, Executive Director, ASHA