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Innovations in Neurodevelopmental Sensory Processing Research (insp!re)

Led by Grace Baranek, the Innovations in Neurodevelopmental Sensory Processing Research (insp!re) lab is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, students, post-doctoral fellows and volunteers committed to advancing our knowledge of early risk signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. We believe that true innovation occurs at the intersection between science, creativity and technology. We partner with local artists, engineers, clinicians and families to employ cutting-edge methods and technologies to design novel multimodal screening tools, including parent-report and biobehavioral measures, for pediatric community settings. We are also developing efficacious interventions for caregivers and infants to optimize development in social-communication, sensory reactivity and regulation, and overall engagement in daily routines such as play and mealtime.

The insp!re lab is currently recruiting families who have an infant or toddler between the ages of 6-16 months. To learn more about participating in our research studies, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Previous Projects

• Evaluation of a Novel Intervention for Infants at Risk for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Principal Investigators: Linda Watson and Grace Baranek)
• Interdisciplinary Leadership in ASD: Optimizing Research-Practice Partnerships for Evidence-Based Outcomes (Principal Investigator: Grace Baranek)
• Early Behavioral Characteristics and Biobehavioral Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Novel Parent-Infant Interaction Paradigm (Principal Investigator: Helen Lee)
• Parent-Infant Engaged: Extension Pilot Study to Culturally Diverse Populations in Los Angeles (Principal Investigator: Grace Baranek)

Media

• New analysis of developmental screen finds autistic children showed heightened sensory, motor behaviors as infants / USC Chan News
• New study shows autism correlated with changing sensory preferences during early childhood / USC Chan News
• Elementary school students tap imagination and empathy to design mural in new USC research lab / USC Chan News

USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). The USC entry-level OTD degree program (cost of attendance) has been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. View our program’s ACOTE standards public data. ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.