Information for Subjects
SAM Project
How important is language in children's development? At the Articulab, we believe the study of communication, both verbal and non-verbal, is essential for understanding how to improve social and communication skills among children and adolescents, prosocial interactions with peers, and learning and literacy activities in the classroom.
At the Articulab, we create computer-generated virtual "peers", which interact with children and help us understand several dimensions of language and learning:
- Storytelling with a virtual peer, in which we model language and play among children in order to understand imaginative play and to create educational applications.
- Culturally authentic virtual peers, in which we examine how language varies between different ethnic groups in order to help children understand the differences between language spoken in schools and language spoken at home.
- Virtual peers used to assess and improve social and communication skills for children with developmental disorders, such as autism.
In order to examine these issues, we are looking for
- Typically-developing children, ages 4-12.
- Children diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome or PDD-NOS, ages 4-12.
Click here to schedule a study!
- Studies are scheduled for 1-2 hours, including detailed description of the research project with parents. The study may last one or more sessions.
- Participation is voluntary. There is no commitment and the study can be stopped at any time.
- Our studies are approved by the Northwestern I.R.B., a committee that is designed to protect all research subjects.
- Siblings are welcome with advance noticed so we can have additional staff, toys and games available.
Location:
The ArticuLab is located in the Frances Searle Building on Northwestern University's Evanston campus. The Frances Searle Building is located four blocks east of the CTA Noyes El station. Click here for a campus map.
The Articulab at Northwestern University
Frances Searle Building
Room 2-147
2240 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Click here for driving directions. If you are arriving by CTA bus or train, we will provide tickets. Click here to plan your trip with CTA.
Parking Information:
Parking is available directly behind the Frances Searle Building. We will provide a pre-paid parking pass upon arrival.