Directed by Jake Burack, our group of lab members research children and youth identified as being at risk for atypical development due to cognition, attention and perceptual factors which are either biological or are directly influenced by culture.

 

We study the development of cognition, attention and perception among persons with Autism and Down syndrome as well as typically developing persons. We also work with First Nations populations to determine the impact of culture on identity perception and how it contributes to resilience among youth.

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We believe that the study of atypical and typical processes can mutually contribute to developmental theory of biological processes as well as the influence of the environment.

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Our collaborations with communities, foundations, school boards, schools, hospitals and families, facilitate a broad arena for our research as well as the potential to influence educational programs and policy for many children at risk.