How do children with autism spectrum disorder develop language skills? Recent research shows signs that third party conversations may be a possible avenue for children with ASD to learn the language.

If correct, this hypothesis may reveal insights into new ways of teaching children important early language skills.

In this episode, we’ll talk with Dr Rhiannon Luyster about her research into how children with autism may benefit from a language-rich environment.

ABOUT OUR GUEST...Dr. Luyster is a developmental psychologist who studies social communication and language in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Philosophical Society, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, Organization for Autism Research, and Emerson College. Dr. Luyster has published her work in several peer-reviewed journals, including Developmental Psychology, Development & Psychopathology, Journal of Child Language, Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, Autism Research, and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Dr. Luyster offers graduate courses on research methods and ASD, as well as an undergraduate course on developmental psychology. Her research activities are open to Emerson students interested in learning more about clinical research with young children and toddlers with ASD.

Dr. Luyster was the recipient of the Emerson College Alumni Award for Teaching Innovation in 2016, and she was awarded a Huret Faculty Excellence Award for 2021.