Vagus Nerve Stimulator for Autism and Other Developmental Disorders

Prior treatment

• Vagus nerve lesion, damage, or structural abnormality (e.g., lymphadenopathy, neoplasm, previous surgery), or pain (e.g., dysesthesia, neuralgia and/or cervicalgia)
• Current or recent (within 12 months) participation in a clinical trial of a drug or a medical device.
• Use of drugs (within 4 weeks) that affect the autonomic nervous system (beta blockers, beta stimulant, etc.).

Other illness

• Have a comorbid physical or psychiatric disorder which would disrupt ability to tolerate vagal stimulation or comply with study demands (e.g., insulin dependent diabetes, bipolar, etc.)
• Current or past history of neurological disorders or trauma, including uncontrolled epilepsy and head injury.
• Any condition per the investigators' clinical judgment that precludes participation in the study (e.g., pregnancy).

Other

• Have an active implantable medical device (e.g., pacemaker, implanted hearing aid, etc.) or a metallic device, such as a stent, bone plate, or bone screw
• Use of marijuana (including medical marijuana) for any indication
• Lack of capacity to consent and without a legally authorized representative (LAR) who is a parent, spouse, or an adult child.
• Living in a residential program (e.g., group home)
• Wards of state

• Children and adults aged 12-40 with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants who are decisionally-impaired will be eligible with assent.
• Able to tolerate wearing an Apple Watch, EEG, and sit for a neurocognitive test
• Be on a stable dose of psychotropic medication for at least one month prior to enrollment
• Agree not to initiate new or change existing medications or behavior intervention