Current Research

This line of research evaluates prelinguistic vocal and early speech development in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, and tuberous sclerosis. This research can assist in identifying atypical developmental patterns to be used as potential indicators for later speech impairments in these populations.

• Emergence of vocal stages across the first two years of life

• Trajectory of communication developmental milestones up to age five

• Speech outcomes in children at risk for motor-based impairments

This line of research evaluates attitudes and behaviors associated with CSD scientists' participation in open science practices such as self-archiving publications for public use. We seek to learn more about existing knowledge, perceived barriers, and interest in actively engaging in open sciences practices and making data at various stages of the research cycle legally and publically available.

My predoctoral work evaluated endogenous and social factors influencing infant vocalizations as fitness signals. This research is founded in the notion that high rates of prelinguistic speech-like vocalizations, or "protophones," may be under positive selection pressures to signal wellness and development to caregivers.

• Reliability of infant vocalizations as fitness signals

• Proportions of social and endogenous protophones across contexts

• Role of social motivation for signaling fitness in infants at-risk for autism

• Role of exploratory vocal play in vocal learning