If you are interested in learning more about or participating in a study, please email us at LearningLab@unl.edu.
Simple View of Reading in Down Syndrome
The purpose of the Simple View study is to learn about the strengths and weaknesses individuals with Down syndrome exhibit in reading comprehension and what subskills help predict reading achievement success. Participants will be asked to complete a series of reading, writing, language, and cognitive tasks. Participation will take approximately two-and-a-half hours. Breaks will be given as needed and testing can be broken up into two sessions, if necessary. Parents/legal guardians will also be asked to complete two short questionnaires. Participants receive a $30 gift certificate for participating.
Participants: Adolescent and adult readers with Down syndrome, ages 16-40 years.
Participation Location: In-person on campus at UNL or another location of participant's choosing.
NIH Grant: Language and Reading Comprehension of Students with and without Developmental Disabilities
This NIH-funded study assesses reading in children with intellectual disability (including Down syndrome) compared to children who are typically developing. It is a collaborative project with the University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama. We are specifically interested in understanding how language skills relate to reading skills. We have an idea of what slows reading progress for children with Down syndrome and intellectual disability, and we will test our idea in this study. We feel that this information could lead to better ways of teaching reading to kids with intellectual disabilities/Down syndrome. Participants will complete a series of standardized reading, language, and cognitive assessments. Testing will take approximately 2.5-3 hours, but it can be broken up across multiple days. Participants will receive a $40 gift card for participating.
Participants: Readers with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities, 10-15 years old; and children with typical development, 6-10 years old.
Participation Location: In-person on campus at UNL, the University of Alabama, or another location of participant's choosing.
A Foundational Study of Adaptive Behaviors in Individuals with Down Syndrome
We are conducting a remote study to learn more about the adaptive functioning skills of individuals with Down syndrome. Adaptive functioning skills are the social, practical, and conceptual skills needed for everyday functioning and are predictive of a host of outcomes across the lifespan, including academic achievement, occupational success, and independent living. Questionnaires will take 2-2.5 hours to complete. They can be completed across multiple days. Participants receive a $30 gift card for participating.
Participants: Participants must be 19+ years and the parent/caregiver of an individual with Down syndrome who is between the ages of birth to 22 years.
Participation Location: Questionnaires can be completed online, over the phone, or via U.S. mail.