Infant Communication Lab at Boston University

Do you wonder how your child’s movement can influence their language learning and
planning ability? Help us answer these questions!

WHAT: We are looking to better understand how children’s cognitive skills (such as, the
ability to wait for a toy and remember a routine), language ability, and manual skills (such as, building Legos) develop together during the toddler years.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: This opportunity is for children between the ages of 24–30 months who have no history of language concerns and no close relatives with neurodevelopmental disorders. Eligible babies must hear mostly English at home.

Participation consists of one visit to Boston University which will take no longer than two
hours. During this visit, your child will be videorecorded playing with you and interacting with a researcher. Play-based assessments of manual skills, language, and cognitive development will be administered, and you will complete questionnaires regarding your
child’s development. Your child will wear fun glasses that will track their eye-gaze during
play!

As a thank-you for participation, you will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. You will receive this gift even if your child does not complete all the tasks.

For more information, email or call us at [email protected] or (774) 275-3321.
Fill out the following link if you are interested in participating: https://redcap.bumc.bu.edu/surveys/?s=AMWHMK3ERANNEXF9

Thank you to everyone who joined us at AAC by the Bay 2026!

Our lab’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Jana Iverson, had a wonderful time presenting Cascades in Development: Leveraging Mobility to Support Communication and Enhance Participation in Infants and Toddlers with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. The presentation highlighted current research on developmental cascades, the ON Time Mobility Framework, and innovative mobility interventions that can support communication, social interaction, and participation in young children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

We are grateful to The Bridge School for hosting such an inspiring conference and for bringing together families, educators, clinicians, researchers, and advocates dedicated to advancing communication and mobility supports for children.

Conferences like AAC by the Bay create invaluable opportunities to share knowledge, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections across disciplines.

A special highlight of the conference was the opportunity for Dr. Iverson to meet and connect with Neil Young, co-founder of The Bridge School and a longtime advocate for children with complex communication and mobility needs.

Thank you to everyone who attended, shared ideas, and contributed to these important conversations.

We look forward to continuing the work of supporting communication, mobility, and participation for all children.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2026 !

Our lab’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Jana Iverson, and ICL PhD Student and Speech-Language Pathologist Deirdre Galvin-McLaughlin had a wonderful time presenting alongside itinerant teachers Betsy Connolly and Kim Sullivan.

Together, they shared their session, Facilitating Increased Participation for Infants and Toddlers with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Using the On-Time Communication and Mobility Frameworks, highlighting evidence-based approaches that support communication and mobility development in young children.

We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with families, educators, clinicians, and researchers who are dedicated to supporting children who are blind, deafblind, low vision, and/or have neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Thank you to Perkins School for the Blind for hosting such an inspiring event and creating space for collaboration, learning, and community.

We loved being part of this year’s conference and look forward to continuing these important conversations!

The final post in our Meet the Team series is Isabel Horney, a staff research assistant in the Infant Communication Lab!

Isabel graduated in May 2025 from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She began working in the lab as an undergraduate research assistant her junior year and transitioned to lab staff after graduating.

When she’s not in the lab, Isabel enjoys going for hikes, cooking, watching movies, and walking her Chocolate Labrador! 🐶🥖🌳

Next up in our Meet the Team series is Audrey Lorence, our lab manager!

Audrey received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she worked as a research assistant in the Infant Communication Lab before it moved to BU! After graduating, Audrey joined the ICL team at BU.

When she’s not managing the lab, Audrey enjoys listening to music and podcasts, dancing Irish step, and spending time with family and friends.

New research study for walking toddlers! For more information, email us at [email protected], call
(774) 275-3321, or fill out the interest form: https://redcap.link/64b2frd5

On Thursday, April 30, our lab's Principal Investigator, Dr. Jana Iverson will be presenting at the AAC by the Bay Conference - an international conference hosted by The Bridge School bringing together the brightest minds in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), mobility, cortical/cerebral visual impairment, education, and communication.

Jana's presentation, Cascades in Development: Leveraging Mobility to Support Communication and Enhance Participation in Infants and Toddlers with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, will provide an overview of current research on the developmental trajectories of children with motor difficulties, drawing on the developmental cascades framework to illustrate how new developmental opportunities in the motor system (upright positioning, mobility) influence and advance opportunities for communication and social interaction, shape caregivers’ actions and communication, and alter the environment. She will discuss the ON Time Mobility Framework and highlight innovative mobility interventions with potential to promote cascading effects across developmental domains (e.g. body-weight support harness system, ride-on cars).

This presentation will offer examples of ways in which timely mobility supports can be integrated, highlighting how their combination creates powerful opportunities for children’s communication and participation. Jana looks forward to presenting considerations for families, educators, and clinical providers.

📅 April 30-May 1, 2026

📍 San Francisco State University + Live Stream

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.bridgeschool.org/outreach/aac-by-the-bay/.

On Saturday, May 2, our lab's Principal Investigator, Dr. Jana Iverson, and Speech-Language Pathologist and ICL PhD Student Deirdre Galvin-McLaughlin will be presenting at the Perkins School for the Blind – a unique event that brings together families, educators, and medical professionals to build community, make connections, and access resources for young kids who are , , or .

Jana and Deirdre will be presenting alongside itinerant teachers Betsy Connolly and Kim Sullivan. Their session, Facilitating Increased Participation for Infants and Toddlers with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Using the On-Time Communication and Mobility Frameworks, will focus on the timeliness of intervention for infants and toddlers with neurodevelopmental disabilities by introducing evidence-based On-time Communication and Mobility Frameworks. They are excited for the opportunity to not only share their experiences, but also to connect with parents, educators, and research colleagues to learn what’s new and what’s next.

Will you join them? In-person and virtual registration are available. Learn more at https://www.perkins.org/event/early-connections-conference/. Registration closes April 17.

Join us this spring for the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Annual Conference!

Connect, learn, and grow with professionals dedicated to early intervention. Don't miss inspiring sessions like On-Time Communication Framework and more!

Perfect for providers, educators, and students passionate about supporting young children and families.

There was an incredible virtual gathering at the Down Syndrome Research Forum 2026, where researchers, practitioners, students, and families collaborated and learned from one another.

We were proud to have our postdocs, Dr. Ashley Collimore-Doherty and Dr. Ellen Sutter, presenting their research on "Independent Mobility in Infants with Down Syndrome: Characterizing Locomotor Development and Feasibility of Body Weight Support Intervention."