
UW, collaborating institutions awarded $9.5 million for detecting autism earlier in childhood
May 29, 2019 — Kim Eckart
A multicenter research team that includes the University of Washington Autism Center has received a five-year, $9.5 million grant to determine whether brain imaging can help detect infants who are likely to go on to develop autism spectrum disorder. Led by Washington University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the research n

Reading summer camp? Study to examine how soon-to-be kindergarteners are wired for literacy
March 5, 2019 — Kim Eckart
Picture this scene: A father reads a storybook to his young daughter, the girl seated in his lap and apparently fascinated by the illustrations of a bunny.

Playground study shows how recess can include all children
February 20, 2019 — Kim Eckart
Recess, for most children, is synonymous with freedom. A break from class that has nothing to do with learning and everything to do with play.

The Surprising Mrs. Hicks
January 17, 2019 — Nancy Joseph
In her 44 years as staff in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHSC), Opal Hicks was always “Mrs. Hicks” to her colleagues. As program assistant and graduate secretary for the department, she was caring but unassuming, helping guide graduate students through numerous bureaucratic challenges.
Parents learn, babies talk: How coaching moms and dads leads to better language skills among infants
November 26, 2018 — Kim Eckart
A UW summer camp helps teens who stutter find their voices
August 29, 2018 — Kim Eckart
The assignment sat before him: a Mad Lib, one of those goofy, improvised stories that rely on random nouns, verbs and adjectives.
So 17-year-old Brandon began to tell the story, a made-up scene from a horror movie. Haltingly, he tried to form the words aloud: “choice,” “car,” “convention.”
‘Teachers are brain engineers’: UW study shows how intensive instruction changes brain circuitry in struggling readers
June 14, 2018 — Kim Eckart
Want to help your child succeed in school? Add language to the math, reading mix
May 17, 2018 — Kim Eckart
Research shows that the more skills children bring with them to kindergarten – in basic math, reading, even friendship and cooperation – the more likely they will succeed in those same areas in school. Hence, “kindergarten readiness” is the goal of many preschool programs, and a motivator for many parents.

Preparing Doctors for Challenging Conversations
April 26, 2018 — Nancy Joseph
The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHSC) offers training to UW medical students each year to improve their interactions with patients with communication disorders. During the two-hour session, the medical students have opportunities to practice what they learn, with Speech and Hearing Sciences students role-playing as patients.

‘Differences can be a part of their skills’: Pilot program at UW offers on-the-job training for young adults with autism
April 5, 2018 — Kim Eckart
Project SEARCH helps Adults with Autism gain skills that can translate to other jobs as they begin looking for full-time work.