Connecting the dots to improve lives.
Autism is a developmental disability characterized by difficulties with communication and social functioning, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests. Fragile X syndrome is the most common known genetic cause of autism. Today, 1 in 36 American children is diagnosed with autism.
The causes of autism are complex, but genes play a key role. At the Neurodevelopmental Diversity Laboratory at Northwestern University, our studies work to clarify the nature of communication challenges associated with autism, and to investigate how some subtle language features might run in families and may be connected to the genes involved in autism.
Our studies involve working with individuals with autism and their family members, and using leading-edge technologies to study language and cognitive processes. A key language difference in people with autism is difficulty with speech intonation and rhythm, especially when they are used to express emotions or intention. The same kind of language features also occur in unaffected relatives of autistic individuals, possibly indicating a genetic predisposition to autism spectrum disorder [ASD].
With support from the National Institutes of Health, we are developing ways to measure these vital speech features using state-of-the-art computer modeling of language characteristics in ASD. This research has the potential to help with the clinical assessment and treatment of individuals with autism.
We’re currently recruiting individuals with autism and their parents – as well as individuals without autism and their parents – to participate in an important family study. We work with participants who live not only in Illinois but across the country!
Again, it depends on your level of participation. Answering questionnaires takes 30-60 minutes; full participation takes 2-6 hours, in either one or two sessions, with frequent breaks.
Our participants live in all parts of the country! The lab is based in Evanston, IL. We administer our tasks in-person and remotely through online platforms such as Zoom.
We can do the study wherever you are most comfortable – our lab, your home via remote or online sessions, or a neutral public place. We’ll schedule your participation at convenient times for you and your family.
Yes! All participants are compensated for their time, as well as for travel and parking.