Welcome to the Cognition and Language Learning Lab. Our lab investigates language processing, reciprocal communication, social cognition, memory, and learning in autism spectrum disorders using behavioral measures and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

COVID-19

We continue to stay vigilant on COVID-19 updates. Research opportunities are available both in person and remotely! 

Current Projects

Personal Narratives Study

Interested? Contact Kelly Coburn to get a link to the screening survey Name Email Address Message 4 + 4 =...

Research Being Conducted Remotely

Investigating the Effects of Varied Dual Inputs for Novel Word/Symbol Learning in Individuals with ASD My research looks at the effects of different variations of input on learning in individuals with ASD. Specifically, I am looking at whether staggering the...

Investigating the Effects of Varied Dual Inputs for Novel Word/Symbol Learning in Individuals with ASD

Description: My research looks at the effects of different variations of input on learning in individuals with ASD. Specifically, I am looking at whether staggering the presentation of auditory and visual information affects the learning of word-symbol...

Verbal Encoding and Visuospatial Recall in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Description: In this study, we ask adults with autism spectrum disorder to view short animated clips and then provide verbal narratives and visuospatial reenactments of the animations. Our goal is to better understand the ways verbal and visuospatial working memory...

My work in this area has contributed to the understanding that the brains of individuals with ASD do not respond differentially to tasks with varying cognitive demands, suggesting that individuals with ASD are already expending maximal cognitive resources for simpler tasks and do not have additional resources to employ in response to increasing task demands.

Dr. Diane Williams

Principal Invesigator