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Cognitive Linguistics Lab

Directed by Devin Casenhiser, Ph.D.

Dr. Casenhiser working with patient Electrode cap Dr. Casenhiser working with a patient
Our lab studies what sorts of factors help or hinder language learning in both typically developing and developmentally delayed populations. Specific areas of research include understanding the role that sensory processing and sensory integration play in language learning and development, measuring and improving methods designed to help children diagnosed with autism learn to communicate more effectively, and research on cognitive aspects of language learning and processing in young children and adults.听听
Our lab frequently conducts experiments in collaboration with our department鈥檚 clinics, especially those offering speech-language services to children.听We are听also听dedicated to collaborating with clinics in the region and a wide range of faculty at both the University of听Tennessee as well as other universities.听Some of the lab鈥檚 research is supported by the UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists.听

听

  • Neurophysiological evidence for construction meaning
  • Effects of sensory environment of engagement during speech therapy sessions for children at risk for autism
  • The use of imitation to听improve engagement during improvised music therapy for children on the autism spectrum
  • Temporal neuro-dynamics of听native and听nonnative phoneme听processing听
  • Multimodal Processing: We are examining expressive and receptive cross modal coordination in children with ASD, typical development, and other developmental delays. Understanding the coordination of various modalities in ASD, and how these characteristics relate to core and developmental features of ASD, will provide insight into underlying mechanisms of ASD. This research has implications for听early detection and prognosis.
  • Comparing Attention, Language, and Sensory Processing in ASD and ADHD: This is a qualitative study examining differences in the manifestations of aberrant attention in children with ASD compared to children with ADHD. Children with ASD demonstrate unusual characteristics of attention that听can be misdiagnosed听as ADHD. This can delay appropriate treatment and sometimes medications听are prescribed听that have a negative impact on the child.听
  • Happy Mom, Healthy Baby: This will be an intervention study with teen-age mothers who are at risk for high parental stress and their infants who are at high-risk for social, language and literacy difficulties.听
  • Vocal characteristics & developmental skills in ASD: This project assesses associations between vocal characteristics and other communicative and developmental skills in children diagnosed with autism.听
  • Joint Attention: The purpose of this study is to test an intervention designed to promote joint attention听skillis听in children at risk for developing autism.听
Some of our collaborative partners include:听

  • This study underscores the importance of functional language measures in guiding and evaluating treatment for children with autism, and suggests that play-based interventions can improving children鈥檚 use of language during parent鈥揷hild interactions听
  • A myriad of treatment options are available for children with autism, yet little is understood regarding characteristics of parents (e.g., education) and children (e.g., severity of autism symptoms) that influence types and amounts of therapy utilization. Interviews from 70 families听were analyzed听to determine potential influences on utilization (e.g., start of first services, use of traditional services).听
  • Helping Children Learn Words
    锟糝esearch question: What is the most effective and efficient way to teach children with autism new words?
    Participants: Children at risk for autism or children who have an ASD diagnosis听
    Age: 2-6 years
    Compensation: $10 per half hour (between $80 and $240 total)
    Duration: Twice per week for 30 minutes. Between 4 and 10 weeks duration.听
    For more information, contact听dcasenhi@uthsc.edu
  • Understanding Word Learning
    Research question: How do children learn new words?
    Participants: Typically developing children, Children who are at risk for or diagnosed with autism听
    Age: 6 to 36 months for typical children, 12 months-7 years for children at risk for/with ASD
    Compensation: $25 total听
    Duration: The study will be divided between two听1.5 hour听sessions (3 hours total duration).
    For more information, contact听dcasenhi@uthsc.edu
  • Multisensory Coordination
    锟糝esearch question: How do children process multisensory information?
    Participants: Children who are typically developing; Children diagnosed with autism; Children diagnosed with other developmental disabilities听
    Age: 1-5 years
    Compensation: $25 gift card
    Duration: 2听hours total duration.
    For more information, contact听dcasenhi@uthsc.edu
  • ADHD and ASD
    Research question: Are attention problems associated with ADHD and autism the same?
    Participants: Children diagnosed with either ADHD or ASD听
    Age: 7-12 years
    Compensation: $25 Target gift card
    Duration: approximately 1.5 hours total duration.
    For more information, contact听dcasenhi@uthsc.edu
  • EEG and ASD
    Research question: How does our brain recognize and process human movements?
    Participants: Typical individuals and individuals diagnosed听with autism spectrum disorders听
    Age: 8-80 years
    Duration: approximately 1.5 hours total duration.
    For more information,听contact听dcasenhi@uthsc.edu