This is a picture of the LangLitLife laboratory room with child sized furniture including a white table, two red chairs, a rug with the alphabet on it and small bookcase with books and toys. On the wall are three pieces of colorful artwork of a caterpillar, bird and boat with fireworks.

The Language, Literacy and AAC Across the Lifespan Lab conducts research to understand factors that support language and literacy development in individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Our work is inclusive of individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems, and seeks to inform both theory and practice in reading instruction across the lifespan.

 

Current research in the lab is organized around three themes:

1- Characterizing intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to reading outcomes in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities

2- Determining developmental trajectories of component reading skills for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a range of speech ability

3- Developing assessments and interventions inclusive of children with limited speech ability that incorporate the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems