MIND INSTITUTE RESEARCH
Language Development Research
Empowering families through innovative research and knowledge.
About Our Research
Our research lab is trying to understand how language develops in children who have certain developmental disabilities like fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and autism. We've noticed that each condition has its own unique characteristics when it comes to language, with different areas where children may do well or struggle.
Right now, we're working on several projects to figure out the reasons behind language development over time. We want to know how biology, behavior, and the environment play a role in this process. For example, we are studying how differences in a specific gene called FMR1 can affect language skills in people with fragile X. We're also interested in finding out how parents can help support their children's language development. Additionally, we're looking into how difficulties with memory, problem-solving, understanding social situations, and other abilities can affect how quickly individuals with developmental disabilities learn language.
Our main goal is to use the knowledge we gain from our research to create better ways of helping people with these disabilities. We want to share our findings with families, educators, and speech-language clinicians so that they can provide improved support and therapy to individuals. We're also exploring ways to make language therapies more effective.
Current Research Studies
If you have a son or daughter with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities 15 to 25 years of age, you and your child are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by Dr. Leonard Abbeduto at the Laboratory on Language Development in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis and Dr. Fran Conners at the University of Alabama.
This study will be looking at memory, language, and everyday skills in young adults with Down syndrome and/or adults with other intellectual disabilities and how they change over time.
If you decide that you and your son or daughter would like to be in this study, we will ask you to visit one of the study sites three times over a period of approximately 5 years. At each visit, participants will take part in activities measuring various skills including memory and language. Caregivers will be asked to complete questionnaires and participate in interviews about the participant.
Contact: Please contact the Study Coordinator at 916-703-0226 or email: hs-language.research@ucdavis.edu for more information about this study.
If you have a son or daughter with Down syndrome ages 2-7, you and your child are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by Dr. Angela John Thurman at the Laboratory on Language Development in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis and three other sites across the United States. Participants will also be seen at Colorado State University, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the University of Louisville.
The goal of this research study is to learn more about how samples of early communication and spoken language skills can be used to measure change over time in communication/spoken language, problem solving, and behavior in individuals with Down syndrome. In the future, it is possible that measures of early communication skills may be useful as one way to learn whether different medications or behavioral interventions can help individuals with Down syndrome learn to use language more effectively.
If you are interested in participating in this study, you and your son or daughter will be asked to visit one of our study sites 3 times over a 1-year period. During these visits, your child will participate in a variety of activities to help us learn more about his or her communication skills and problem-solving abilities. Some of these activities will be more structured and some will be more play based. We will also conduct some interviews with you and ask you to fill out some questionnaires to learn more about your child.
Contact: Please contact the Study Coordinator at 916-703-0226 or email: hs-language.research@ucdavis.edu for more information about this study.
f you have a son or daughter with Down syndrome ages 2-7, you and your child are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by Dr. Angela John Thurman at the Laboratory on Language Development in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the MIND Institute.
The goal of this study is to validate measures of early executive function tailored to young children with Down syndrome. Researchers are hopeful that these may be used as outcome measures for future treatments or interventions in this population.
If you are interested in participating in this study, you and your son or daughter will be asked to visit one of our study sites 4 times over a 1-year period. During these visits your child will participate in a variety of activities to help us learn more about his or her early cognitive development, including working memory and planning. We will also ask you to fill out some questionnaires to learn more about your child in his or her daily life.
Families will receive a $50 honorarium from a national retail store for each visit to the MIND Institute. Travel-related expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with UC Davis policies.
Contact: Please contact the Study Coordinator at 916-703-0226 or email: hs-language.research@ucdavis.edu for more information about this study.
Down Syndrome Resources
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby's body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth.
Fragile X Resources
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and it is also the most common known genetic mutation associated with autism. The clinical features of FXS range from mild emotional, sensory and/or learning problems to severe intellectual disabilities and autism.
Research Participant Registry
Our Research Participant Registry (RPR) is designed to match potential participants with the MIND Institute's human research studies. Your participation in research plays a vital role in improving awareness, understanding, prevention, care, and treatment of neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Contact Us
Questions?
For more information about our studies or to become a volunteer, please email hs-language.research@ucdavis.edu.
Become a Volunteer
Our lab provides opportunities for volunteer research assistants who are interested in learning more about research related to language development in individuals with developmental disabilities, including fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and autism. Volunteers will be motivated to learn and able to work independently as well as part of a team in a variety of activities. We ask for a commitment of 9 hours per week for a minimum of 1 calendar year.