Current Projects
Autistic or A Person with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Study Evaluating Daily Experiences, Beliefs, and Identity-First Language in the United States
​This study aims to better understand autistic adults’ diagnostic language preferences for autism, direct experiences with autism, and feelings about autism. Participants completed a brief, anonymous online survey that used either identity-first language (e.g., “an autistic person”) or person-first language (e.g., “a person with autism spectrum disorder”) to refer to autism. This study will compare responses to explore how diagnostic language may relate to autistic adults’ perceptions of autism.
Sensory processing and Executive functioning Neuropsychological impact on Sleep Efficiency (SENSE) Study
This study aims to examine developmental trajectories of sleep disturbances in youth with ASD and SSD aged 6-18 years and its impact on neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes, especially within the sensory processing and executive functioning domains. Typically developing participants will also be recruited for this study. Participation involves behavioral assessments, questionnaires, and objective measurement of sleep quality using actigraphy for a limited period of time. Participants eligible for and opting into the MRI scan will be asked to come back for a one-hour scan visit. All participants will be paid for their involvement in study components.​ This study is currently funded by Autism Speaks
Completed Projects
Youth Social Skills Treatment Study
Our study involves behavioral and neuroimaging assessments of adolescents, ages 12-21, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (SSD). Selected participants will be invited to undergo the caregiver-assisted PEERS®16-week social skills training. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is world-renowned for providing evidence-based social skills treatment to preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other socio-emotional problems. Our study will also recruit typically developing adolescents to undergo assessments and brain scans. All participants will be paid for involvement in assessments and brain scans. Our study is currently funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Study to Investigate the Effect of Sleep Treatment for families of children with Autism (SIESTA) Study
This research project was started to compare two brief family-based interventions aimed at improving health and behavior outcomes of youth with ASD aged 3-10 years. Participation involves 1 in-person lab visit, 3 bi-weekly hour-long online intervention sessions, and objective measurement of sleep quality using actigraphy for a limited period of time. Findings from this study will help inform development of sleep interventions for youth with ASD and improve outcomes by making these interventions more accessible for families. All participants will be paid for their involvement in study components. Please visit the study website for more information: https://www.siestaproject.net/. This study is currently funded by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR).