As the proud mother of a young son with autism, Sheila Laredo acts as the parent representative on the CAIRN Steering Committee. She graduated from the University of Toronto medical school in 1991, and is an endocrinologist with special interest in reproductive endocrinology. She practices at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre. She is currently working on a PhD at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Medical Sciences on a project entitled, "Effects of exercise in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)". She is particularly interested in research methodology pertaining to randomized controlled trials, and looks forward to participating in the design and impelementation of methodologically sound research studies evaluating interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders.