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Current Research

Influences on Social Development in Williams Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to understand the ways in which parents of children with Williams Syndrome assist their children in developing socially. We have developed a measure to assess the level of parental involvement and monitoring  behavior towards their children’s social activity with peers. Ultimately, our goal is to extend our findings beyond Williams Syndrome to families of children with other forms of developmental delay.

For more information about this study: click here

To go directly to the survey, click here

Head Circumference in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Delays

At the Child Neurodevelopment Research Lab we are conducting a study about early brain growth and its psychological consequences for children with developmental disabilities. The focus of this research centers on two major questions:

(1) how measures of head size (also called head circumference) taken at birth and at later check ups identify children who are eventually identified with a developmental disability

(2) what are the potential effects of early brain growth on cognitive abilities. For this study, we would like to collect information from children with difficulties in communication and social interaction, including children for whom the possibility of a pervasive developmental disability or an autism spectrum disorder has been considered. 

We would appreciate your participation in this study. It will help advance our understanding of individuals with developmental disabilities so that they can be better supported to develop to their full potential.

For more information about this study: click here

Emotional regulation and the transition to adolescence in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A model from the study of Williams syndrome.

In this investigation we examine emotional regulation in individuals with Williams syndrome as they move from later childhood to adolescence. Williams syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder (1 in 7500 live births) with a known genetic etiology, providing for unique opportunities to study gene-brain-behavior relationships in mental health. Parents and children complete a number of questionnaires and interviews to assess emotional, social, and adaptive functioning. The research conducted will lay the groundwork for a longitudinal study of emotional regulation in Williams syndrome, with a focus on the transition to adolescence. A better understanding of the processes underlying emotional regulation in Williams syndrome has the potential to improve our understanding of emotional regulation and behavioral health in other populations with developmental disabilities as well as in typically developing children and adolescents.

This research is supported by a Center Scientist Research Opportunity grant from the Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research.

For more information about this study: click here

Socio-Communicative Behavior of Young Children with Williams Syndrome or Other Developmental Delays

Language is usually reported as an area of strength for children with Williams syndrome, but research has indicated that children with Williams syndrome are nonetheless often late to talk and gesture. We are interested in the development of social-communication abilities of young children with Williams syndrome. For this study, children participate in videotaped play interactions with a researcher.  We observe their communication including the use of eye contact and gesture to communicate intent to others.

This project is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health:  #1R03MH069400

For more information about this study: click here