Research
Current Projects
Sensory and Social Development in Infants and Toddlers (SASI) find out more
SASI is a longitudinal study which aims to understand individual differences in social and sensory development in typically developing and high-risk infants and toddlers. This study examines these domains through behavioral and physiological measures. We will be looking for families with an infant or toddler between the ages of 6 and 16 months to participate. We will be recruiting both a general community sample of infants as well as infants who have an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may be at higher familial risk. Study participation includes a brief survey and, depending on survey outcomes, 3 assessment time points over 3 months. Your family will be compensated for your time (up to $150), and parking is provided.
If you are interested in participating or hearing more, please contact the study team at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (323) 442-2520.
Sensory Experiences Project (SEP) find out more
The SEP was a 10-year longitudinal study that has concluded enrollment and is in the data analysis phase. The purpose of this project was to explain the development, functional impact, and pathogenesis of unusual sensory experiences in children with ASD, developmental delay and/or typical development with implications for early identification and intervention. The SEP also examined sensory subtypes of children with ASD.
The SEP included a series of six studies:
- Study 1: Prospective Developmental Study examined the stability of sensory features and their functional impact over time.
- Study 2: Developmental Study of Infants (Infant Behavior Project) used video analysis to explore infant behavioral precursors to later sensory response patterns.
- Study 3: Observational and Experiential Study examined sensory experiences in the home via personal accounts of parents and verbal children and in-home observations.
- Study 4: Neurocognitive Mechanisms applied Electroencephalography (EEG) technology to help determine potential causes of unusual sensory response patterns.
- Study 5: Sensory Phenotypes aimed to determine sensory subtypes of ASD using longitudinal online data collection.
- Study 6: Eye Tracking Study of Children’s Visual Attention examined children’s ability to look at and shift attention during a computer video task.
Southern California Child Development Survey (SoCal CDS) find out more
SoCal CDS is a survey study examining children’s development from 6 to 16 months of age in domains such as social communication and sensory regulation. We are recruiting families from communities within the greater Los Angeles area to collect normative data on a diverse population. Participants will complete a 15-20 minute survey including the “First Years Inventory” (FYI), a questionnaire which asks parents about how their child responds to people, objects, and events. The survey also includes questions about developmental history and any potential concerns. Data obtained from birth records will also be used for analyses with survey outcomes to describe and correlate demographic and perinatal factors such as Apgar scores.
If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact the project coordinator, Elizabeth Choi-Tucci, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (323) 442-2520.
Completed Projects
Early Behavioral Characteristics and Biobehavioral Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Novel Parent-Infant Interaction Paradigm
November 2018 to August 2020
Evaluation of a Novel Intervention for Infants at Risk for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
August 2017 to July 2020
First Years Inventory (FYI) Pilot Study to Culturally Diverse Populations in Los Angeles
November 2018 to August 2020
Interdisciplinary Leadership in ASD: Optimizing Research-Practice Partnerships for Evidence-Based Outcomes
February 2017 to July 2019
Moving Beyond the Average: Building a Comprehensive Model of Classroom Quality that Incorporates Children’s Individual Experiences
September 2020 to July 2022
Parent-Infant Engaged: Extension Pilot Study to Culturally Diverse Populations in Los Angeles
November 2018 to May 2020
Parent-Infant Physiology Study (PIPS)
November 2018 to March 2020
Parents and Infants Engaged (PIE)
August 2017 to July 2020
