Advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Childhood trauma is pervasive and can have widespread negative influences on language development.
Research has shown that children with strong early language skills are less likely to have long-term adverse academic, social, and health outcomes.
NOTE: Each individual interviewed for this story stated their preference between person-first or identity-first language. The language used reflects the preference of each person. Researchers interviewed use identity-first language in alignment with the preferences of many of those in the autistic community. Who is considered an expert in autism? Or cerebral palsy? Or Down syndrome? …
Identifying modifiable sources of variability in early interaction quality is critical to determining intervention need, developing effective caregiver coaching, and improving outcomes.
Early language skills are one of the best predictors of academic, social, vocational outcomes.
“Early language skills are one of the best predictors of academic, social, vocational outcomes,” said Rebecca Alper
Using a community-based participatory research framework, we piloted Duet, a preventative, parent-implemented, early language intervention.
Alper’s path to communication sciences was not straight forward. She initially started down the biotechnology path and sprinkled in some reproductive embryology research as well. It wasn’t until she started in a voice physiology lab seeking research with more direct human interaction that she found the path she wanted to be on.
