Division of Developmental Medicine

Both the psychology and developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellows jointly participate in weekly research seminars comprised of didactic sessions, journal club, and skills training in research design, methods and analysis.  They also are encouraged to participate in research activities in the division, including attending lectures in the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience directed by Dr. Charles Nelson, working on a team-specific project with a mentor, getting involved in projects at the Neurodevelopmental Phenotyping Program with Drs. Ellen Hanson and Anne Snow-Gallagher, or working collaboratively with staff and/or another fellow on a project.Based on availability of research grants, a psychology fellow may elect to spend a second year in ongoing clinical research projects and/or define a discrete project that can be completed within a fellowship year.

Research projects in the Developmental Medicine Center encompass topics and methods in basic science, translational, clinical and health services research. There are methodologists and statisticians available to assist in planning studies and analyses, and when financially feasible, research assistants may be assigned to help with aspects of research. Research computers and standard statistical software are available for use by fellows in all the programs.  Current research in the Division includes:

• Developmental screening in primary care

• Genetics of autism

• Effects of early institutionalization on child development

• Neurobehavioral Research on Infants at Risk for Autism and Specific Language Impairment

• Electrophysiological, Metabolic and Behavioral Markers of Infants at Risk for Autism

• Neural markers for the transition from risk for ADHD to stable diagnosis

• Evaluation of face processing in children with autism

• Linking Music, Language and Reading

• Catching Dyslexia in Pre-Readers

• Office management of adolescent substance abuse

• Long-term outcomes of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

• Cross-cultural quality metrics for ADHD care