Welcome

The Human Development & Daily Life (HuDDL) Lab is a research lab interested in how neurodivergent and neurotypical people develop. Specifically, we are interested in how complex relationships between motor, sensory, and cognitive processes impact the performance of activities of daily living, such as feeding, dressing, and playing games in neurotypical and neurodivergent development, especially autistic development. We want to use our research findings to improve the lives of neurodivergent people by adapting their environments and providing support for them to achieve their goals.

Language Disclosure: Out of respect for preferences expressed by many autistic self-advocates in our studies, in the scientific literature (Bottema-Beutel et al., 2020, Autism in Adulthood, Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers; Botha et al., 2021, Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders; Does Language Matter? Identity-First Versus Person-First Language Use in Autism Research: A Response to Vivanti, Taboas et al., 2022, Autism, Preferences for identity-first versus person-first language in a US sample of autism stakeholders), and in the community, we have chosen to use identity-first (rather than person-first) language throughout this website when referring to autistic people. In doing so, it is not our intention to diminish or invalidate the preferences or perspectives of those who prefer person-first language. We recognize that identity is deeply personal and affirm that all individual preferences regarding the language used to express identity are valid and should be respected. We also use the term “motor differences” to describe features that may or may not cause problems or disability, depending on a person’s goals, context, and access to appropriate supports or accommodations. We continue to welcome feedback on ways that we can effectively partner with the autistic community to advocate for respect, acceptance, inclusion, and representation in research.