Three generations: TEDS twins Jonathan and Catherine with their parents and their children (two of which are also twins!)

Who?

Back in the 1990s, more than twenty thousand parents enroled in TEDS with their infant twins. Since then, these parents and twins have helped us to build one of the most substantial datasets on child development in the world. Increasing numbers of TEDS twins are now becoming parents themselves, and TEDS are turning their attention to the new generation. All TEDS twins who have become parents, or who become parents over the forthcoming years, will be invited to join the new study – Children of TEDS, or CoTEDS for short. There will also be an opportunity for parents of TEDS twins to take part in CoTEDS, as grandparents!

What?

The aim of CoTEDS is to collect data on the development of TEDS twins’ children. Participating twins will be asked to complete questionnaires about their own experiences of parenthood and their child’s abilities and behaviour. CoTEDS will include many of the same questionnaires and tasks completed by twins and their parents during the early years of TEDS. TEDS researchers will then be able to compare twins’ results in TEDS, to their child's results in CoTEDS.

Why?

TEDS twins are one of the best studied groups of twins in the world. Continuing to collect data from these twins as they raise their children will make TEDS the world’s first ever twin study to include information on both twin parents and their offspring from birth. By comparing data between TEDS and CoTEDS we will investigate how different behaviours and traits are passed down through generations. This will provide a unique insight into the differing roles of genes and the environment during child development, helping us to understand how best to support individuals during this time.

If you are interested in being part of CoTEDS, as either a TEDS twin or parent of TEDS twins, click here to express your interest on our online form. 

In the meantime, please feel free to get in touch with any questions (and baby pictures)!