Spread the Word to End the R-word

The F.U.N. Lab would like everyone to pledge not to use the R-word. Please support these efforts by watching this link and spreading the word.

Welcome to the F.U.N. Lab

Welcome to the homepage of the Laboratory For Understanding Neurodevelopment.  We are a group of researchers, clinicians, and students who share a common interest in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD, and Dyslexia.

Currently, we are working to understand Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). We are interested in how individuals with ASDs  (including Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD) understand language in order to improve treatment of the disorder.

School and My Future Study

Are you the parent or guardian of a teenager with autism or an intellectual disability?  Would you like to help us understand how school experiences impact your child’s postsecondary outcomes?  In this new study, we are looking for students between the ages of 16 to 22 who are currently receiving special education services under a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or cognitive disability.  If you decide to participate, one parent/guardian and the student will be asked to come to the F.U.N. Lab to answer a few short questionnaires and participate in a simple IQ test.  Participation should take about 1 hour, and your child will receive $10 compensation for his or her time.  For more information, please contact Elizabeth Klinepeter at eklinepe@nd.edu or 574-631-5729.

Student Spotlight

Congratulations to the F.U.N. Lab's senior research assistant, Elizabeth Klinepeter on earning a 2013 Student Leadership Award. The Student Leadership Award is given to 10 Notre Dame undergraduates “who best exemplify the spirit of Notre Dame in social, recreational, residential, service and religious activities that promote the welfare of the University and extended communities.”  She was nominated in part for her leadership in the Best Buddies Program. Elizabeth has accepted a full scholarship to attend the University of Florida for graduate work in School Psychology.

The F.U.N. Lab's senior research assistant, Stephanie Mazur, was featured in the Science Pre-Professional Department's Student Spotlight. We are very proud of Stephanie and of all our wonderful students that work so hard to make the F.U.N. Lab possible.

Click here to view the article.

Online study for Siblings!

Are you the sibling of a child who has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? If you are between the ages of 12 and 17 you could participate in a research study trying to better understand sibling relationships among teens and their siblings with ASD. If you decide to participate in this study, you and your mother will be asked to complete online, anonymous surveys. The study will take about 45 minutes to an hour for both you and your mom. After you are done completing the survey, you will have the option to provide your email to be entered into a drawing for 1 of 4 $25 gift cards. If you are interested, please have your mother click the following link. It will take her to the online survey and your mom can email you the link to complete your portion after she’s done.

https://notredamecsr.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6ro7iGXKzxNje6g

For more information about this study, please contact Amy Nuttall at (574) 631-1570 or anuttall@nd.edu, or Joshua Diehl, Ph.D. at (574) 631-5729.

Dislecksia: The Movie

Dislecksia: The Movie has been released and is currently for sale along with Dislecksia the book, companion to the Documentary Film.The movie and the book take us on a journey to present the latest scientific discoveries about Dyslexia and the experiences of people with Dyslexia.  Dr. Diehl's work is part of this exciting project. Click Here to go to the website

Keywords:  Autism, Autism in Indiana, Asperger, Autism Research at Notre Dame, autism graduate school