Student Opportunities

Classes

 Understanding Autism (SLHS 418/PSY 418/HDFS 418)

Instructor: Dr. Brandon Keehn

This course will explore the etiology, neuroscience, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Approached from a multi-disciplinary perspective this course brings together gene, brain, and behavioral sciences with the aim of developing a better understanding of autism.

Generally offered in fall semester

Language and Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder (SLHS 519)

Instructor: Dr. Brandon Keehn

This course will explore the characteristics, courses, and potential causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a particular emphasis on language and communication. And, how our understanding of these issues informs assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ASD.

 Offered in fall semester

Interdisciplinary Studies in Autism (HDFS 590)

Instructor: Dr. A.J. Schwichtenberg

This advanced interdisciplinary course will address multiple areas of autism-related knowledge including human genetics, media portrayal, animal models, treatment options, differential clinical diagnosis, and family support. This course is designed for graduate students; however, room size permitting advanced undergraduates will be accepted.

This course is offered roughly every two years

Autism Spectrum Disorder (HONR 399)

Instructors: Drs. Schwichtenberg, Rispoli, and Keehn

This interdisciplinary course will address multiple areas of autism-related knowledge including human genetics, cognitive and neurological models, clinical diagnosis, treatment options, and media portrayals. Each week students will watch videos of seminal research in the field of autism (or media portrayals of autism) and will read autism-related research findings. In-class discussions will build on this multimedia base and students will leave with a foundational understanding of autism-related research in neuroscience, social sciences, education, and clinical practice.

This course will be offered in Spring 2018

Neurodevelopmental Disorders (PSYC 392)

Instructor: Dr. Bridgette Tonnsen

This upper-level seminar facilitates in-depth analysis of multiple aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders, including behavioral phenotypes, diagnosis and treatment, neurodevelopmental processes, and family and community factors.  Focal conditions include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Williams’ syndrome, among others. The instructor will integrate lecture, readings (including empirical articles), class discussion, and community-related activities to facilitate student learning.

This class will be offered roughly every two years, including Spring 2019

Research Assistants

Social-Communication Research Lab

Are you interested in learning more about social and communication behaviors and interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder?  Please visit the Autism and Behavior Intervention lab at https://abil.education.purdue.edu/ to learn more about research opportunities.

Currently seeking undergraduate or graduate research assistants to register for 1 to 3 hours of directed studies.

Contact Rose Mason, PhD, BCBA-D
Assistant Professor of Special Education
rmason3@purdue.edu

Intervention Research Lab

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in learning about the autism spectrum disorder? Join the Intervention Research Lab on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Challenging Behavior.

Please visit the Autism and Behavior Intervention lab at https://abil.education.purdue.edu/ to learn more about research opportunities.  

Currently seeking undergraduate or graduate research assistants to register for 1 to 3 hours of directed studies.

Contact Mandy Rispoli, PhD, BCBA-D
Associate Professor of Special Education
mrispoli@purdue.edu

Neurodevelopmental Family Lab

The Neurodevelopmental Family Lab is interested in integrating applied psychology and developmental cognitive neuroscience to promote optimal outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. Our lab uses clinical and experimental methods to better understand typical and atypical development during infancy, childhood, and adolescence at both biological and behavioral levels (e.g., cortisol, eye tracking, neuroimaging, psychophysiology, vocalizations). We enjoy getting to know the children and families who participate in our research!

Research Assistant opportunities may be available at the Neurodevelopmental Family Lab. If you are interested in joining our research team, please visit our web site (http://nddfamilylab.weebly.com) or email Dr. Bridgette Tonnsen (btonnsen@purdue.edu) for more information.

Attention and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab

The primary focus of the AtteND Lab is to investigate attentional strengths and weaknesses in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our lab uses a variety of tools to study attention in ASD, including behavioral, eye-tracking, and neuroimaging methods.

AtteND Lab Research Assistant positions may be available.  If you are interested in joining our team, please email Dr. Keehn (bkeehn@purdue.edu) for more information.

Developmental Studies Lab

Under the direction of Dr. AJ Schwichtenberg, the Developmental Studies Laboratory explores research questions specific to developmental trajectories in families raising children with an autism spectrum disorder, as well as research related to sleep and development in pediatric samples.

Undergraduate responsibilities may include assisting with literature reviews, coding video data, coding physiological data, assisting with data entry in SPSS, and writing reflections.

Professional development opportunities may include research experience for your vita or resume, in-depth understanding of measures used and applied in developmental and/or sleep studies, data for the Purdue Undergraduate Research and Poster Symposium, graduate application mentoring, a letter of recommendation for graduate school, and joining team presentations at national and international conferences (e.g., Society for Research in Child Development).

Research Assistant positions may be available. If interested, please send a cover letter and your current vita/resume to ajschwichtenberg@purdue.edu.

Organization for Human-Animal Interaction Research

Are you interested in how interacting with animals affects children with autism and others? Our research team focuses on the human-animal bond, including service animals, therapy animals and companion animals.

Research Assistant opportunities may be available with the Organization for Human-Animal Interaction Research. If you are interested in joining our research team, please visit our web site (humananimalinteraction.org) or email us (ohairelab@gmail.com) for more information.