Geraldine Dawson Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology; Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability; Associate Coordinator, Brain Imaging, Neuroscience Core; Coordinator, Research Emphasis Area on Autism
Center on Human Development and DisabilityUniversity of Washington
Box 357920
Seattle, WA 98195-7920
206-543-1051 (tel)
[email protected]
http://www.depts.washington.edu/chdd/mrddrc.html
Biography/Curriculum Vitae:
Research Interests:
Narrative of Current Research Efforts:
Dr. Dawson specializes in autism and the effects of experience on early brain development. Dawson’s autism research focuses on early diagnosis, brain function, social development, early intervention, and brain plasticity and on quantitative approaches to genetic studies of autism. Studies seek to increase understanding of the neurobiological bases of autism by studying abnormalities in brain structure (via magnetic resonance imaging) and brain chemistry (via magnetic resonance spectroscopy), to assess the efficacy of early behavioral intervention for improving outcomes for young children with autism, and to examine how child neurocognitive factors moderate the effects of early intervention. In addition, Dawson identifies characteristics that distinguish very young children with autism from those with delayed and typical development. Finally, she and her colleagues are exploring neurocognitive and electrophysiological endophenotypes for genetic studies of autism using quantitative trait locus analysis.
Major Honors and Awards:
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Created 11/22/2005 by Evette Mezger
Last modified 5/25/2006 by Danielle Onunkwo
