RADD Lab

04/06/2026

A huge shout out to Ayesha Rehman who successfully defended her thesis today focused on SLP views of augmentative and alternative communication in Pakistan. Bravo Ayesha!

04/05/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Douglas and graduate student Ayesha Rehman on "Facilitating Development During Pretend Play for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," published in Young Exceptional Children: http://spr.ly/6186B6oMqq.

04/02/2026

Autism awareness day from South Africa. Check out this great organization here spreading awareness and acceptance.

Autism South Africa  Who is Autism South Africa? Autism South Africa (A;SA) aspires to achieving a society in which autistic people enjoy all rights and opportunities to meet their needs and fulfil their potential, throughout their lives, as loved and valued members of their families and communitie...

03/21/2026

Rock your socks coming to you from Cape Town, South Africa.

03/18/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Douglas and grad students Chandani Bhandari and Emily Jensen, on "Stress and Coping among Family Caregivers of Children with Down Syndrome: a Meta-synthesis of Qualitative Research" published in the Review Journal of Autism and Development Disorders: http://spr.ly/6182B6rvLY.

02/25/2026

The PhD programme at the CAAC featured an onsite week from 26 to 30 January, during which students participated in constructive, critical discussions with their peers and supervisors to refine their research studies.

Prof Sarah Douglas (Michigan State University, Michigan) joined the sessions, offering students valuable feedback and sharing her expertise in Qualitative Meta-Syntheses.

The students had the opportunity to gain insights from Dr Chitrali R. Mamlekar (Communication in Healthcare and Assistive Technology (CHAT) Lab, Misericordia University, Pennsylvania), who shared practical, evidence-based guidance on conducting sound AAC research in the field of Aphasia.

Saba Sedegi, a visiting PhD student from University of Ottawa (Canada) also joined the onsite week. The students had the opportunity to engage with Dr Cathy Flores, a CAAC PhD alumna, who shared reflections on her doctoral journey and offered guidance on navigating the PhD process.

02/13/2026

Does your child use AAC? This article provides some great insights into how you can help ensure they gain reading and writing skills.

AAC can play a powerful role in literacy development, helping children build language and participate more fully in school and everyday life. Explore how AAC can foster literacy, what tools and devices work best for supporting writing, how speech therapists can help, and more.

02/06/2026

Bravo Dr. Douglas and colleagues!

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Douglas on her recent publications!
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology: http://spr.ly/6182hKjXm
Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions: http://spr.ly/6188hKjXs
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: http://spr.ly/6184hKjXI

01/15/2026

We're pretty excited to see a Barbie with AAC. Way to go Mattel!

💚 At Evolve, we’re really pleased to see the release of the new Autistic Barbie and the conversations it’s sparking around neurodiversity and inclusion.

What stands out most to us is the inclusion of an AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) board.
Pre-verbal, non-verbal and partially verbal communication is still rarely talked about, despite being a core part of many autistic people’s lived experience. AAC can include objects, signing, visual supports and electronic devices, and can be used alongside spoken language or as an alternative to it. Seeing AAC represented by a major brand helps individuals recognise their own communication methods as valid, understood and worth celebrating.

We also appreciate the thoughtful details:
- noise-reducing headphones
- a fidget spinner
- loose-fitting clothing and flat shoes
- articulated limbs, allowing for movement and stimming
(Although we do recognise that not every person with autism will use or align with these devices.)
Barbie is also noted to have an eye gaze that shifts slightly left to represent those who find eye contact challenging.

While Barbie has always had a recognisable body type, we see this doll as a meaningful step forward in representation and visibility. For many individuals, it’s less about perfection and more about finally seeing themselves - or their loved ones - reflected in a mainstream toy.

Representation matters, but can be difficult to get exactly right when we are all so different to one another. But when we see our differences acknowledged rather than hidden, it supports identity, confidence, and pride in who we are.

We'd love to know your thoughts and feelings on Autistic Barbie in the comments below 💬

01/15/2026

Way to go Dr. Dunkel-Jackson!!!

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Dunkel-Jackson who was recently named on the Hockey New's annual change maker list for her work with Hockey Challenge Camp: http://spr.ly/6189CIAol

01/15/2026

Dr. Douglas is in South Africa as a Fulbright scholar this semester. We're excited to follow her experience. She'll be working with faculty at the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the University of Pretoria.

12/11/2025

Way to go Prince Owusu Gyebi!