Current Research

Project REACH 

Project REACH (Readiness to Enhance Autonomy in the Community and Home) is funded by Boston University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute. We are engaging with adults with Down syndrome, their families, and service providers to understand their perspectives on autonomy and to gather feedback on a new program designed to increase independence. By conducting interviews and focus groups, we will refine and develop an online family-based program. To learn more, visit the study page!

Community Participation in Autistic Young Adults

Yeook Kim, a PhD candidate in the lab, is studying community participation in autistic young adults. She is interested in how autistic young adults (age 18-30) do community activities (either in-person or online), such as social and recreation, leisure, and/or volunteering activities. She is also looking at how autistic young adults’ thoughts on how community activities are related to their well-being. To learn more, visit the study page!

Well-Being and Traumatic Experiences in Autistic Youth

Sharada Krishnan, a PhD candidate in the lab, is studying experiences of mental health, trauma, and well-being in autistic youth. She is interested in understanding the experiences that are traumatic for autistic adolescents (age 14-21) and how these experiences can impact youth’s mental health and well-being. She is conducting interviews with autistic youth and parents to learn about their perspectives and experiences. For more information, visit the study page!