Kudos to Dr. Krista Wilkinson with the NICHD Grant!

The PSU AAC Community is thrilled to celebrate the incredible work of Dr. Krista Wilkinson, and the recent recognition in a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)!
The five-year $1.5 million grant, “Eye Tracking Technologies to characterize and optimize visual attending in individuals with Down Syndrome” (#R01HD083381), will support Dr. Wilkinson’s on-going efforts to map out principles of visual processing for persons with complex communication needs.  This line of study has direct impact on improving AAC system design so that using multimodal supports is efficient, and has the highest evidence-base for promoting success.  Dr. Wilkinson explains, “While AAC can provide much-needed communication supports, intervention might be ineffective if the displays are not matched well to the visual information processing of their users.”
Dr. Wilkinson’s extensive research contributions in the areas of Improving the Design of AAC Systems  center on the belief that, “If our aims are achieved, we will have provided an immediate way to foster positive AAC outcomes, in turn positively affecting the lives of those who are struggling to gain access to communication.”
Additional information:
Applications of Tools of Neuroscience to Enhance AAC System Design — Presentation at ASHA, 2015
“N400” brain responses are evoked by semantic content in photographs: Implications for visual scene displays used for augmentative and alternative communication — Publication
Building EBP in AAC Display Design for Young Children — Publication
Supporting the Development of Emotional Competencies in Children With Complex Communication Needs (CCN) — Presentation at ASHA, 2013
Perceptual factors influence visual search for meaningful symbols in individuals with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorders. — Publication
Eye Tracking Research to Answer Questions about Augmentative and Alternative Communication Assessment and Intervention. — Publication
Eye-Tracking Technology & Cognitive Processing in Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities — Presentation at ASHA, 2012
Working memory and attention in utilizing aided AAC displays — Presentation at ASHA, 2011