Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder defined by core deficits in social communication as well as the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, including sensory processing atypicalities. Individuals with ASD also have atypicalities in integration of multiple sensory modalities (i.e., sensory integration), which are hypothesized to underlie...
Pragmatic language, or the use of language in social contexts, is critical to developing meaningful social relationships and is a significant contributor to mental health. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Down syndrome (DS) are all genetically based neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by deficits in pragmatic language, although...
Prenatal alcohol exposure is a global health concern. Despite guidelines advising against it, many women continue to drink throughout their pregnancies. Exposure to alcohol can have lifelong medical, social, emotional, and intellectual consequences on a developing fetus. Women in Uruguay have demonstrated consistently high self-reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy, but...
The three studies in this project investigate a selected number of youth protective factors and caregiver parenting skills with reducing the risk of justice involvement for youth involved in the child welfare system without a prior history of justice involvement. All three studies used child welfare administrative data, and the...
Using cross-sectional and 90-day discharge follow-up data from child welfare residential treatment, this study investigates gender differences in characteristics, needs, and strengths at entry to residential treatment. Specifically, this analysis examines trauma experiences, trauma-related symptoms, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and strengths, in relation to length of stay and discharge status...