Yale Child Study Center

04/30/2026

We are thrilled to share this news! As YCSC Chair Linda Mayes, MD, said perfectly, “I’m deeply grateful for the generous support of Bukhman Philanthropies, which strengthens the work we do every day to improve the mental health and well-being of children and families. This kind of investment encourages innovative solutions to promote healthy and positive development while addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents—and helps us translate new ideas and discoveries more quickly into impactful, real-world applications. Just as important, it signals confidence in our department’s mission and in the people who carry it forward.”

A $10 million from Bukhman Philanthropies will benefit research at Yale School of Medicine's Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) and YCSC's two initiatives: Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the and Mood Disorders Program.

"Young people today face a wide range of pressures—from academic demands and socioeconomic challenges to the complexities of the digital environment and social media," says Daria Bukhman. “As parents, we have a responsibility to equip the next generation with the tools and support they need to lead meaningful, resilient, and fulfilling lives."

Learn more: bit.ly/4u141WZ

04/29/2026

As we close out autism awareness month, we're proud to share part three of a Q&A series launched earlier this year with autism expert James McPartland, PhD. In this segment, he touches upon some basic principles and perspectives about autism to guide clinical work, science, and policy.

Read the Q&A: https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/news-article/autism-insights-part-three/

Yale Autism Program McPartland Lab Yale School of Medicine

In the final installment of a three-part Q&A series with autism expert James McPartland, PhD, he touches upon some basic principles and perspectives about

04/27/2026

Recent study findings challenge a long-held assumption in neuroscience related to speech learning. The research, led by YCSC faculty members Nishant Rao and David Ostry at Yale School of Medicine, indicates that retention of newly learned speech movements relies mainly on sensory brain processes, rather than motor learning. These findings have implications for rehab, brain-computer interfaces, and speech technology.

Learn more:

In a study led by Nishant Rao, PhD, an associate research scientist at Yale Child Study Center, findings challenge a long-held assumption in neuroscience

04/24/2026

James McPartland, PhD, Harris Professor at YCSC, spoke with WTNH Channel 8 last week to answer some common questions about autism. McPartland also serves as director for the Center for Brain and Mind Health and the Developmental Disabilities Clinic, both at Yale.

Learn more: https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/april-is-autism-awareness-month-2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRYSHVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeTKtWOr69sXb9RicdIUo8WQZeftBjxFIg4rAfTMMTt_RNaiSkyNUhjZYRqtY_aem_6iO7rDvecadVFX1ZvNkyBQ

McPartland Lab

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In today’s Health Headlines, we’re spreading awareness for Autism Awareness Month and answering common questions about whether the condition is increasin…

04/24/2026

A new Yale study, led by Women’s Health Research at Yale Collaborative Member Kieran O’Donnell (Yale Child Study Center | Yale Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences) explores how the timing of depression in mothers and fathers affects mental health in their adult children later in life. This more comprehensive research looks at both paternal and maternal depression and revealed striking differences:

💡High maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with increased psychosis in adulthood
💡Maternal depression starting during pregnancy or postpartum relates to adult depression and anxiety
💡Paternal depression impacts were only seen from mid-childhood onwards and grew stronger over time
💡Early intervention is essential – especially equitable access to mental health support during pregnancy for mothers and fathers alike
💡Most notably, timing effects between maternal and paternal depression and offspring mental health outcomes were quite striking. This underscores the importance of sex-specific research.

More research and intervention development would not only improve the mental health of parents but could positively impact the next generation too.

📰 Read this powerful Yale School of Medicine article by Crista Marchesseault from Yale Child Study Center for complete details here: https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/news-article/parental-depression-timing-adult-offspring-menta-health/

04/20/2026

We are proud to be offering a virtual course in Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) this June. The PPP program was developed by The REACH Institute and is designed to train pediatric primary care providers to diagnose and treat mental health conditions commonly seen in their practice. The fee to participate is $50 and registration is now open, with a deadline of June 1, 2026. The training will be led by YCSC and Yale Pediatrics faculty members at Yale School of Medicine.

Learn more and register online:

Yale Child Study Center is offering a virtual three-day mental health training for pediatric primary care providers in June, 2026. The Patient-Centered Mental

04/17/2026

We are excited to be hosting a three-day, in-person training designed for professionals in child and family mental health this June. The focus will be on applying core concepts of Mentalization-Based Treatment for Adolescents (MBT-A), a clinical approach for working with adolescents experiencing a wide range of mental health needs. Our trainers are certified by the Anna Freud Centre, and the fee for the training is $1,200.

Learn more and register online:

Yale Child Study Center will host a three-day, in-person training on Mentalization-Based Treatment for Adolescents (MBT-A) in June, 2026. MTB-A is a clinical

04/10/2026

We look forward to welcoming Ben Coleman, MD, PhD, and Ann Johnson, PhD, to YCSC this summer, when they will join the Albert J. Solnit Integrated Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry Program at Yale Child Study Center as new residents. Coleman and Johnson were announced as part of the Yale Department of Psychiatry 2026 Match Class after the annual match process concluded in March.

Learn more:

Ben Coleman, MD, PhD, and Ann Johnson, PhD, will join the Albert J. Solnit Integrated Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry Program at Yale Child Study Center

03/31/2026

In the second installment of a three-part Q&A series with autism expert James McPartland, PhD, he offers insights into his work on biomarkers and ongoing developments in biological research. Later this spring, look for part three, with insights about the importance of involving autistic people in research, the neurodiversity movement, and ways to support the needs of people of all ages who are affected by autism.

Learn more: https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/news-article/autism-insights-part-two/

Yale Autism Program
Yale School of Medicine

In the second installment of a three-part Q&A series with autism expert James McPartland, PhD, he offers insights into his work on biomarkers and ongoing

03/30/2026

How does social media affect the mental health of young people, and does more use always mean more harm? Several researchers are working to find out through four YCSC pilot studies. The projects are generating early findings that challenge oversimplified narratives about teen screen time. They point toward more nuanced, targeted approaches to understanding social media's harms and benefits.

Learn more: https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/news-article/social-media-and-youth-mental-health/

Yale Department of Psychiatry
Yale Pediatrics
Yale School of Medicine

Through four pilot studies funded by Yale Child Study Center, several researchers are working to find out how social media affects the mental health of young

03/30/2026

Register for the upcoming conference, Advances in Understanding Neurodevelopmental Conditions in Infancy & Early Childhood, by April 3.

Learn more: https://medicine.yale.edu/event/2026-autism-conference/
Register: https://bit.ly/48XcKjC

03/20/2026

Do certain sounds trigger an intense response for you? Yale Child Study Center is seeking participants for a misophonia genetics study. Help advance research into this condition. Participate with your biological parents, receive a $25 gift card, and contribute to scientific understanding. No age restrictions. Learn more: https://campuspress.yale.edu/misophonia/