Currently Recruiting children with Autism

Little Girl With Hands on Face

Currently Recruiting children with Autism

Tags : 

We are recruiting children who have been diagnosed with Autism!

Who can take part in this study:  Children 30-42 months diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and a developmental delay.

What will participation involve:  Completing some interviews and questionnaires about your thoughts and experiences as well as your child’s development.  Yearly in person assessments of mom and child at your home.  Participants will be compensated  for their time and receive a brief report of their child’s development.

How will this project help families: This information would enable us to support all families affected by neuro-developmental disorders by promoting earlier diagnosis, treatment and support.

How can I get more information: Please contact Ms. Jessica Escorcia via email ([email protected]) or phone (803-777- 5676). You may also visit our recruitment page.


Fragile X chromosome illustration

Anxiety Grant Funded by the National Institute of Health!

Tags : 

In September 2016, Dr. Jane Roberts was awarded funding by the National Institute of Mental Health for the project entitled: Emergence, Stability and Predictors of Anxiety in Fragile X Syndrome.  It is the first longitudinal developmental study of the early features of anxiety in very young boys with FXS contrasted to boys diagnosed with ASD (non-FXS) and typical controls.  The study analyzes the age which initial features of anxiety can be detected and the stability and prognostic value of these early symptoms.  Our lab is eager to start work on this exciting new project!!


Trauma blocks

NIH Grant Extension funds further research into trauma and adjustment!

Tags : 

Dr. Jane Roberts has the privilege of working with Dr. Yolanda Jackson from the University of Kansas Center for Research on a grant project entitled: Trauma Exposure, emotion regulation and cognitive skills in early childhood: Prospective and longitudinal examination of the mechanisms of adjustment.  NIH just approved a renewal of this grant which successfully tested and modeled the relation between potential protective factors and mental health outcomes for a sample of 302 youth in foster care over three time points.  In the proposed project, we will prospectively and longitudinally assess how dimensional components of trauma exposure (i.e., frequency, chronicity, and severity) influence threats and working memory to predict adjustment for early childhood-aged youth.


Chromosome X illustration

Infant Grant from NIH approved for Extension!

Tags : 

In 2011, Dr. Roberts was the recipient of a five year NIH R01 grant entitled “Emergence and Stability of Autism in Fragile X Syndrome.”  In this study, Dr. Roberts and her team analyzed the behavior of infants who were at high risk for developing autism. She has now been awarded 3.1 million dollars from NIH to follow-up of these infants and track their development into their preschool years!  With this new award, the team at the Neurodevelopmental Lab will be able to follow the development of the infants from 9 months-of-age to 5 years-of-age and identify which features during infancy were predictive of  developmental delays in the infants at high risk for developmental impairments.  This information will then be translated to efforts targeting early identification and treatment.


Jessi Scherr Interning

Jessi Scherr accepted postdoc at Nationwide Children’s Hospital!

Tags : 

Jessi Scherr has accepted a two -year postdoctoral research fellowship at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus Ohio specializing in clinical research of assessment and treatment practices of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Her research interests include the examination of biobehavioral factors related to development, social-emotional functioning, and cognition.   Contratulations Jessi!!


Carly Moser

Carly Moser awarded Magellan Grant

Tags : 

Carly Moser was named a Magellan Scholar in May 2016 and awarded a grant to fund research on the relationship between autonomic function and psychosocial outcomes in mothers with the FMR1 premutation.  Congratulations Carly!


Alexis Ruber receives SURF award

Alexis Ruber Receives SURF Award

Tags : 

Alexis Ruber received a Science Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) award. Alexis will examine eye contact during a social interaction among mothers of children with fragile X syndrome and mothers of children with autism. The study also aims to examine the relationship between sympathetic arousal, measured by skin conductance, and eye contact in these groups. Congratulations, Alexis!


Sara McGrath

Sara Matherly receives travel award for Gatlinburg Conference

Tags : 

The National Fragile X Foundation awarded Sara Matherly a $400 travel award for the 49th Annual Gatlinburg Conference in San Diego, CA.  Her work was entitled: Effect of anxiety disorders on functional daily living skills in young adult males with fragile X syndrome.  Congratulations Sara!


Publications and Presentations Updated

Publications and Presentations Updated

Tags : 

Our list of publications and presentations for 2015 has been updated based on our activities over the past year. Check out any of the links to see what we’ve been researching!


Fragile X Society

Research featured by the Fragile X Society

Tags : 

New research by members of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab has been recently highlighted by the Fragile X Society. This research focuses on reading development and the role of phonological skills in boys with fragile X syndrome. Read more about our research and potential implications for teaching children with fragile X syndrome to read!


Learn how you can take part in our research