An incidental finding is a discovery or result made during scientific research that has potential significance for the health of a participant or their family.
Terms
The NAR policy regarding incidental findings is to consult experts on whether and how we notify individual participants of a finding if it is potentially harmful to those participants. In doing so, we apply the following conditions:
- the finding is scientifically valid
- the finding is of health significance
- treatment or action is possible
No other diagnoses
In our enrolment and annual questionnaires, we only ask for information that the participant already knows (e.g. 'Are you currently aware of any other psychiatric diagnosis besides autism?'). We do not make diagnoses ourselves and do not investigate the presence or absence of certain diseases or disorders. If we do start doing this, or if you are participating in another NAR project in which there may be important incidental findings, we will inform you in advance and ask for your GP's contact details.