Our Studies

Current studies

We are currently running four studies for babies ages 0 - 36 months. Our lab staff will ask you questions about your baby to find the best fit with one of our studies.

Our newborn study follows the development of newborns through the first 3 years of life.
Our team tracks early social, motor, and language skills as infants grow, and provide parents with feedback and tips on supporting their child’s development. Families can earn up to $250 for full participation. We currently have openings for infants who are:
1) Under 1 month and born preterm (between 24-32 weeks gestation)
2) Under 3 months and have an older full biological sibling diagnosed with autism
3) Under 1 month and have an older sibling who is typically developing with no family history of autism
In partnership with the UofSC College of Nursing, the ESD Lab is enrolling preterm infants from the PRISMA-Richland NICU. Babies participate in 3-4 study visits for the first year following NICU discharge. Families receive free feedback, connections to local resources, and $40 per study visit.
The ABC study monitors infants’ development at each year for the first 3 years of life. During each visit to the lab, infants participate in play time with their caregivers and with toys, as well as completing developmental assessments. Families can earn up to $125 for participating in all three visits and receive developmental feedback about their children. We are currently enrolling infants under 12 months of age who have a biological parent or full biological sibling diagnosed with or taking medicine to treat ADHD.
This study uses wearable cameras to better understand the development of attention, social skills, and communication in infants. Babies and their parents wear a headpiece with a camera attached that allows researchers to track their attention in their home environment. We facilitate in-home study visits at 4, 8, and 18 months, and can provide additional feedback on your baby’s development. Parents also receive $40 per study visit. Current openings for this study include infants who:
1) Have an older sibling who is considered typically developing or
2) Have an older full biological sibling with a diagnosis of autism

What is a typical visit like?

We always start the visit by getting your baby comfortable with the space and our staff.
Then we will put on the heart rate monitor, which is wireless and attaches to your baby like a sticker.
Babies often don't even notice what we are doing!
Babies think that they are just playing while our staff is completing developmental assessments.
You and your baby will have playtime.
Babies will interact with new toys and objects.
Babies tend to love this part of the visit!
The baby will watch videos while we record their eye movements
The baby will watch videos while we record their eye movements.
The baby will watch videos while we record their eye movements.