Our work is broadly focused on answering two big questions:
- How can SLPs and other allied health professionals support the development of social communication skills and healthy relationships in autistic individuals and individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the lifespan (from tiny humans to adults)?
- What community characteristics and geographic factors influence which families and individuals can access, utilize, and benefit from autism diagnosis and early intervention services?
We utilize quantitative and qualitative methods to answer these questions using data from a variety of sources, including state and federal datasets, interviews with early intervention providers, and play sample data recorded during therapy in our clinic.
Current projects in the lab include using geographic information systems (GIS) software to examine how families' access to early intervention and autism diagnosis differs between rural and urban areas and developing new adult and pediatric social communication intervention programs that include group teaching.
