Get involved in our studies!

Seeing how parents and their deaf children communicate informs our experiments and our thoughts regarding how deaf children acquire language and learn to divide their visual attention. Without participants like you, conducting our research wouldn’t be possible!

We have ongoing studies with deaf and hearing children between 18 months and 5 years. If you are interested in participating, please fill out our contact form here.

What to expect

Participation in our studies typically takes about one hour and consists of several parts:

• Background questionnaire regarding your child’s language and communication
• Natural play session (15-20 minutes of play with provided toy sets)
• Structured play session (5-10 minutes of play with new, unfamiliar toys; adults will be given novel ASL signs for labeling these toys)
• Computer-based activity (10-15 minutes of playing an ASL game on a computer while an eye tracking camera records your child’s gaze)
• Receptive and expressive language assessments for determining your child’s signing level

Logistics

Studies can take place here at Boston University (we will provide parking or transportation if necessary), at your child’s school, or in your home. Children will receive a small gift and certificate for their participation, and families will receive financial compensation of $20.