Research and Evaluations
USC UCEDD interdisciplinary professionals representing 13 different disciplines and their trainees engage in a variety of research projects, including clinical, community-based, evaluation, equity and diversity, quality assurance, and systems change research – with the goals of:
- Advancing knowledge on the causes of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities, behavioral, and chronic health conditions,
- Building the foundation for evidence-based interventions for individuals with these conditions,
- Informing and evaluating policies and regulations which govern the services for these populations and which assure equity for all beneficiaries.
Most of our research and policy activities are in the areas of expertise of our faculty.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Early Biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
- Early Identification of and Referrals to Early Intervention Series for Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
- Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Effectiveness and Implementation of a Social Skills Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Coding Children's Behavior During Oral Care: A Reliability and Validity Study
- Tummy Troubles
- Autism Treatment Network Registry
- Technology Development for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Comparison of DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Children with Special Health Care Needs
Children's Hospital Los Angeles is home to 28 Specialty Care Centers funded by California Children's Services, which provides access to clinical populations for emerging and ongoing research studies. The Spina Bifida Center, under the direction of former UCEDD Director, Dr. Robert Jacobs, is home to a number of studies of children with spina bifida and their families. Several of these studies are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are part of a national network of sites that aims to improve understanding of the needs of children with spina bifida. In addition, research studies are ongoing which explore the health care transition needs of adolescents and emerging adults with spina bifida and the effectiveness of services provided.
- Retrospective analysis of demographic and number and type of transition services provided in spina bifida transition program
- Today Study
- CHLA Spina Bifida Patient Registry
- Survey of Youth with Spina Bifida as to their Understanding of their Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Transition Preparation Training Program
- Component C- Urologic Management Protocol for Young Children with Spina Bifida
- Assessing Factors in the Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants with Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
- Risk Factors to Neurodevelopment in High Risk Infants Treated with Intensive Interventions
Early Intervention
- Project ABC Study
Behavioral Health
- Secret Agent Society
- AIM Hi
- Child-Parent Psychotherapy for Infants with Medical Trauma
- Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health
- Child-Parent Psychotherapy and Developmental Disability
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
The UCEDD has had several grants to address the underrepresentation of minorities in bio-medical research on ASD.
- A Model for Inclusion of Minorities in Genetic Research--an NIH Partners in Research Grant (R03). 2008-2010
- Disseminating Scientific Information on Autism to the Latino Community--an NIMH ARRA Pathways to Translational Research Challenge Grant (RC1). 2009-2012
Contact
Cecily Betz, PhD, RN, Director of Research
