Trial Information

Summary: Do you have a young child between the ages of 2-5?

Who can participate?
Families with children between the ages of 2 and 5 years.

What is being studied?
Our goal is to investigate children’s development in early childhood, in particular in the social and emotional domains. We will explore individual differences in groups of children, both typically developing and children with developmental disabilities (e.g. with Down syndrome, with Williams syndrome)

What is the time commitment?
The study involves two to three sessions of research activities that can take place at your home or in our lab in Boston. Each session will take between 1½-3 hours. Parents will also be asked to complete a set of questionnaires that can be filled out at home or in our offices. There may be additional telephone interviews with parents.

How will families benefit?
Your participation will contribute to a better understanding of the development of children, in particular their social and emotional development. In addition, our staff will give you feedback and answer your questions about your child’s evaluation.

What is the compensation?
We will reimburse your travel costs, and your child will receive a small gift after each visit as a token of our appreciation! You will receive $50 for your time at the completion of research activities.

Who is conducting the study?
Our researchers are staff members at the Boston University Medical School. The research team includes specialists with backgrounds in child development, clinical psychology, special education and child psychiatry.

Where does the study take place?
Research activities will take place either at the child’s home, or in the Lab of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at the Boston University School of Medicine, located in the South End of Boston. We are easily accessible from Routes 93 & 90, bus routes, and the Silverline.

Patient Inclusion Criteria

• Both males and females
• 2 to 5 years of age
• English is family's primary spoken language

Patient Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of autism
• Diagnosis of other genetic disorders (e.g., FX, PWS)
• Other physically handicapping conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy)
• Frank neurological disease
• Significant dysmorphology without diagnosis

For more information,

If you would like to learn more about participating in this study, please send an e-mail message using the form below.