Research Highlights
Thank you FAMILIES for making our research possible!
We wanted to share some highlights of our work so that you can see your contributions in action. We couldn’t do any of this without you!
What have we learned?
Below, we will share some of the lessons we learned from the studies that you have helped us complete!
Children do not need to be part of a conversation in order to learn from it. Having a home that is “rich in language” will provide lots of opportunities for your child to hear and learn new words! You can talk, sing songs and model conversations.
It may be easier for children to learn words that are easy to mentally picture (like “apple”) than abstract words like “dream”. Finding ways to make abstract words more concrete, like drawing, sensory play or building with toys, may help your child to learn those words.
Sometimes children with autism need more time to process language. It may help if you wait a few seconds after asking questions to give them time to think and respond.
All language is good language! Children use language to learn language. Respond to and encourage all language, even language that is scripted, has mistakes or is hard to understand.
ALL children can learn more than one language! Children, including those with autism or language delays, benefit from hearing and learning more than one language.
Simple books are the best books! Toys and books that beep and light up might be fun, but they aren’t always best for your child’s learning! Instead, sit with your child and enjoy simple books and toys together to encourage richer language.
Children’s interests can shape their learning! Does your child love Cocomelon? Maybe they adore Lego? Or how about a fascination with wolves? For autistic children, many people have wondered if these interests can be too distracting. Our research didn’t find any negative effects on learning when we incorporated children’s favorite interests.
Interested in learning more about our findings?
Short videos with key findings from our work: QUICK TIPS
Research articles are shared here: SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
Listen to the LI+TLE Lab director, Rhiannon Luyster, talk about our research:
Campus on the Common with Rhiannon Luyster
Training the next generation!
Your engagement with our research has allowed us to welcome countless students (summer interns, undergraduate students, graduate students and post-graduate trainees) into our lab, where we can provide training on language and communication development, and developmental disabilities. Our students gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis, and they build oral and written communication, as well as self-confidence and leadership skills. They go on to meaningful careers in a range of professions, including psychology, speech-language pathology, medicine, and education. Your support of our research has allowed us to provide invaluable personal and professional training to these rising stars, so THANK YOU from us and from all of them!
LEARN Lab students:
LI+TLE Lab students:











