Research for a Higher Purpose

“To embrace every child, adult and family impacted by disability”

For individuals and families with developmental disabilities, the need is clear. Estimates show that one out of every seven students lives with a disability that affects his or her relationship to learning. 

At Baylor, these families find advocates through research and scholarship. In disciplines like education, neuroscience and speech-language pathology, there’s a synergy among Baylor disability researchers whose work builds new pathways for treatment and inclusion as they train the next generation of practitioners to do the same.

While the research is data-driven, there’s a heart behind the research in buildings across campus that distinctly drives Baylor’s efforts to serve those with developmental disabilities.

In what ways does the Baylor mission intersect with your own sense of mission as you serve others through research?

Alison Prahl, Ph.D., associate professor of communication sciences and disorders

We’ve all been drawn to professions that help others in some way, and I personally find a great deal of fulfillment in getting to interact with individuals with disabilities and their families — it’s an honor to walk alongside them.

Being here at Baylor, the University’s mission is a big draw. It feeds into the sense that what we do is a calling. We get to have authentic conversations, and aspects of faith can be integrated into those conversations. It drives and motivates me, and I am really looking forward to seeing continued growth and synergy around disability research at Baylor.

Jessica Akers, Ph.D., associate professor of educational psychology

I grew up with siblings with developmental disabilities, so this is important to me. Baylor is a place where I can do research but also work with families through the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. I wanted to do both, and I can at Baylor. We value listening. We’re working with real families in the community, and as we listen to our clients and their families, we can better tailor to what they need.

How would you describe your own unique approach to research in developmental disabilities?

Joaquin Lugo, B.S. ’99, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience

At its simplest level, my lab seeks to understand the relationship between autism and epilepsy. There’s a high relationship between the two; we try to, in some ways, use what we know about autism to understand epilepsy, and vice versa.

For families with autism, there’s so much we don’t know. They often feel like they’re grasping at whatever they can to fill those gaps and support their child. In our lab, we’re trying to understand it better. We follow the data — whatever it drives.

Tonya Davis, B.S.Ed. ’02, M.S.Ed. ’04, Ph.D., professor of educational psychology

Broadly, my research is focused on educational and behavioral interventions for individuals with autism. I specialize predominantly in interventions to reduce problem behavior and to improve communication skills for kids with autism.

The research we’ve done that trained teachers in utilizing evidence-based interventions is one example. For our teachers, the most important thing to remember is that children spend the majority of their day in schools. So, if we want children to have access to those evidence-based practices, we have to prepare teachers to be able to implement them. It’s the only place where every single child can access intervention services and educational services. We provide tools to help these teachers, who care deeply about their students, increase their training and skills to implement effective interventions.

How else does Baylor focus on applied research that extends beyond the lab or clinic?

Erik Carter, Ph.D., Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities and executive director of Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities 

Too many communities still struggle to welcome and serve children and adults with developmental disabilities well, but the landscape is beginning to change. More and more communities are recognizing the need to revisit their practices and policies, but they need good guidance on how to move forward.

This is where strong research can have such a powerful impact. My colleagues and I are striving to do work that is marked by rigor, relevance and reach. All three matter immensely at the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. In other words, we are committed to doing cutting-edge research that meets real and pressing community needs. But we don’t stop there. We share back what we are learning with families, educators, administrators, pastors, professionals and so many others. We are intentional about translating our findings in ways that can inform everyday practice. We embed the best of what we know works in our courses, clinics, trainings and resources. When we do this well, communities are much better prepared to embrace every child, adult and family affected by disability.

Learn more about Baylor’s research into developmental disabilities at research.baylor.edu.