IDEAL Study

This project is ongoing.

This study is focused on evaluating the early development of language, communication and autism characteristics in Latino children living in Texas. This study is a multi-method study where we use 1) parent report, 2) direct assessment, and 3) observational measures (i.e., wearables) to evaluate the language and autism characteristics. Latino children aged 1, 2, and 3 years of age who fall into one of the following categories (1 - typically development, 2 - developmental delays, or 3 - older sibling with autism) will enroll in the study along with their caregivers and are followed up every 6 months for 2 years. Study participation takes place in the IDEA Research Lab at the JJ Pickle Research Campus or in the family's home.

Qualifications
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) proficiency is required (reading, writing, speaking, understanding)
  • Prior experience working with infants and toddlers
  • Familiar with child and human development
  • Prior experience with administering standardized developmental assessments or conducting interviews
  • Prior experience with research, REDCap
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Project Timeline

Recruitment is ongoing. Project will end January 31, 2030, pending continued funding. 

Duties
  • Recruit families in north and central Texas
  • Administer developmental, language, and autism assessments to infants and toddlers
  • Interview caregivers on child development, child behavior, and autism characteristics
  • Code language, communication, and autism characteristics from play observations
  • Data entry, data analysis
  • Research activities are conducted in person at the JJ Pickle Research Campus or in the family's homes throughout San Antonio through the north Austin area
Typical Time Commitment
10 hours/week
Desired Length of Commitment
2+ semesters

I'M INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

The Office of Undergraduate Research recommends that you attend an info session or advising before contacting faculty members or project contacts about research opportunities. We'll cover the steps to get involved, tips for contacting faculty, funding possibilities, and options for course credit. Once you have attended an Office of Undergraduate Research info session or spoken to an advisor, you can use the "Who to contact" details for this project to get in touch with the project leader and express your interest in getting involved.

Have you tried contacting professors and need more help? Schedule an appointment for additional support.