New research suggests mixing languages during study session might be a more effective learning method
A new paper from the lab of Waisman investigator Margarita Kaushanskaya, PhD, professor of communication sciences and disorders at UW-Madison, provides evidence that suggests when trying to learn two languages, studying them both during the same session rather than separately might be the more beneficial strategy.
October 8, 2025
Lily Wagner on researching, diagnosing and treating autism
Waisman Center Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic Director Lily Wagner considers the Trump administration’s warnings about acetaminophen and approval of leucovorin as a treatment for autism. By Frederica Freyberg | Here & Now September 26, …
October 1, 2025
Waisman’s Summer Research Opportunity Program gives undergraduate student real-world experience in academic research
Each summer, the Waisman Center hosts undergraduate students with lived experience of a disability as a part of its Summer Research Opportunity Program.
September 30, 2025
Wisconsin researcher responds to White House autism announcement
Since that press conference on Monday afternoon, numerous medical organizations have pushed back, saying acetaminophen is safe for pregnant women to use
September 26, 2025
As Trump warns of danger with acetaminophen, autism community calls for support, not cure
Natalie Eilbert Milwaukee Journal Sentinel At 40, Erin Miller takes solace in the ordinary joys of life. She goes on nature walks, watches the seasonal butterflies, enjoys a good bowl of ice cream, and plays …
September 24, 2025
Turning passion into progress: How former LEND trainee Ashlee Parker helps young students thrive
LEND is a special training program funded by the federal Maternal & Child Health Bureau of the Department of Health & Human Services.
September 4, 2025
Undergraduate student research experience is an integral part of the Zhao lab
By Anoushka Kar The Zhao lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is an exciting and dedicated research entity in neuroscience which focuses on brain development and developmental disorders. It offers opportunities to students of any …
August 29, 2025
New study shows nuanced and complex relationship between tau and brain cell loss in Alzheimer’s Disease
At a Glance Loss of synapses, the connections between neurons that allow them to communicate, is a primary driver of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers expected a strong connection between synapse loss and tau …
August 28, 2025
Integrating trauma awareness into early language support
Learning language in early childhood occurs through interaction between children and their caregivers. It is a foundational process that allows children to participate in social interactions, learn from the world, and develop other essential skills such as literacy. Having a language delay or disorder is associated with greater risk for experiencing trauma and vice versa. Furthermore, children’s and caregivers’ trauma histories can impact their individual strengths and needs related to participation in early language intervention.
August 25, 2025
Friends of the Waisman Center annual awards 2025
The Friends of the Waisman Center present awards each year to Waisman students, staff, and and family volunteers.
August 22, 2025
As new fiscal year looms, Wisconsin disability rights groups brace for major funding cuts
By Natalie Eilbert The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Key Points Wisconsin disability rights groups are concerned about potential funding cuts in the 2026 federal budget. Disability Rights Wisconsin may lose funding for programs related to voting rights, …
August 19, 2025
Atypical infant movements tied to cerebral palsy may signal differences in brain connectivity
Brain connectivity differences linked to atypical infant movements may aid the early prediction of cerebral palsy development after a perinatal brain injury, a new Waisman Center study shows.
August 15, 2025
Supporting individual strengths and needs: New study finds that parenting beliefs are a more effective indicator of strong early language skills in children than socioeconomic status
Research has shown that children with strong early language skills are less likely to have long-term adverse academic, social, and health outcomes.
August 11, 2025
Rethinking fraction instruction: New study shows young children’s brains are wired to understand ratios – and it could change the way fractions are taught.
Even before formal schooling, children's brains can grasp ratios as holistic magnitudes—suggesting they’re naturally wired to understand foundational fraction concepts like comparing amounts.
August 8, 2025
Meet ARTEMIS: The new AI helping researchers reconstruct the hidden stories of cell development
Building a complete developmental trajectory of cells is close to impossible with today’s technology, but new technology developed at the Waisman Center is taking scientists a step closer to achieving it. Machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, can step in to help fill in the gaps.
July 29, 2025
Waisman Center investigators receive Kellett Award and Romnes Fellowship
Congratulations to Waisman investigator Daifeng Wang and affiliate Anjon Audhya for being honored with the H.I. Romnes Fellowships, and the Kellett Mid-Career Awards, respectively.
July 16, 2025
Wisconsin LEND trainees visit state legislators to share their personal stories and educate about the impact of Medicaid on Wisconsinites with disabilities
The Wisconsin LEND Program prepares individuals with disabilities to engage in policy discussions, giving them the tools and confidence to make their voices heard.
July 15, 2025
Clinical psychologist explains how ADHD drugs work, addresses unscientific harm concerns
“The evidence is quite clear that the medications that are currently FDA-approved and prescribed to treat ADHD in particular are fairly well tolerated.
June 11, 2025
Health trajectory of mothers of children with developmental disabilities shows a ‘wear-and-tear’ effect starting around age 65
Mothers of children with developmental disabilities experience long-term stress, adapting for many years but showing signs of ‘wear-and-tear’ starting around age 65, affecting their physical and mental health.
June 5, 2025
Spring showers bring May flowers… and food! Waisman dietitians host classes on low-protein cooking and gardening for individuals with PKU.
The team of dietitians from the Waisman Center’s Biochemical Genetics Clinic hosted a morning event with a cooking and container gardening class for individuals with PKU and their families.
May 29, 2025
Genetic blueprint behind early brain development uncovered by team of Waisman investigators
Early neuronal maturation is not well understood. A new study at Waisman was able to map the gene and regulatory networks driving early neuronal maturation for the first time.
May 22, 2025
Kay Emerson and Harry Waisman, two pioneers in PKU
Kay Emerson was the first person in Wisconsin and one of the first in the United States to be successfully treated for phenylketonuria (PKU), a condition in which the body fails to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, causing a buildup.
May 15, 2025
New research reveals parallels between Alexander disease and other neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease
New research from Waisman investigator, Tracy Hagemann, PhD, associate research professor, delves into the cognitive impairments and associated molecular changes caused by Alexander disease (AxD), revealing similarities to other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
May 8, 2025
When worlds collide: autism & ADHD
- “It seems like there has to be some type of biological aspect to this that we can hope to better understand through this project. Then we can better conceptualize what is co-occurring autism and ADHD and also hopefully have targets to be able to think about whether there are ways we can ameliorate some of those features,” Travers says.
April 24, 2025
New study reveals motor delays as possible key early indicator for autism diagnosis
A new large-scale, population-based study reveals that motor delays may be a common yet under-recognized symptom in autistic children.
April 24, 2025
Newly funded research to study astrocyte dysfunction in Rett syndrome
The lab of Waisman Center director, Qiang Chang, PhD, professor of medical genetics and neurology, has received $1 million in funding from the Department of Defense to study the dysfunction of astrocytes, a key brain cell that supports neurons, in Rett syndrome.
April 17, 2025
CDC reports rising autism rates with Wisconsin notably higher than the national average
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among 8-year-old children in the U.S. has increased to 1 in 31 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to a recently published report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
April 15, 2025
Statewide success: Managing threatening confrontations training enhances disability support for thousands
It focuses on teaching proactive and positive strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities through a broad range of behaviors and escalation levels.
April 8, 2025
Change ahead: Creating a road map to help families navigate the transition to adulthood for individuals with an intellectual and developmental disability
The road to adulthood can be rough terrain. It consists of uncharted territory and many changes.
April 2, 2025
Tim Markle receives 2025 Merle McPherson Family Leadership Award for tireless advocacy
Tim Markle, MA/CS, outreach manager of the Waisman Center’s Children’s Resource Center – South (CRC) and director of the Youth Health Transition Initiative (YHTI), recently received the 2025 Merle McPherson Family Leadership Award for exemplary contributions to further family/professional collaboration within state Title V programs and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP).
March 31, 2025
Improved assessment protocols identify cerebral palsy earlier
Research from the Pediatric Neuromodulation Lab of Bernadette Gillick, PhD, MSPT, PT, at the Waisman Center showcases that evidence-based assessments for cerebral palsy (CP) are helping to improve diagnostic timelines and access to therapies and interventions.
March 26, 2025
New insights into language development: The role of joint attention in kids with Down syndrome and autism
Attention is a key component of learning. Think of how hard it is to learn someone’s name if all you can think about is the eyelash on their cheek. The same can be said for language learning.
March 25, 2025
National Doctors Day is March 30, 2025
Learn more about National Doctor’s Day here. Learn more about the many Waisman Center physicians who provide care as clinicians, who are researchers, or both. Melisa Carrasco McCaul, MD, PhD Pelin Cengiz, MD Peter Ferrazzano, …
March 24, 2025
Pediatric Brain Care Clinic’s multidisciplinary staff addresses acquired brain injuries from a wide range of causes
Every Thursday afternoon, the Pediatric Brain Care Clinic is open in the Waisman Center to see pediatric patients with acquired brain injuries, many recently discharged from time spent in the American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH).
March 18, 2025
A family’s commitment to Down syndrome research at the Waisman Center spans four decades and counting
When Heather Huismann was in middle school she called the police on her teacher. “He was not teaching me very well,” Heather says.
March 17, 2025- More News posts
Advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.