
VJ
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Department of Psychology
Office location and address
B008 Gilmer Hall
485 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville,
Virginia
22903
Biography
My research has addressed a range of topics in typical development, including in word learning, categorization, memory development, and social cognition. My current research focuses on communication in autism—specifically, the cognitive and social processes underlying communication in nonspeaking autistics, and how some parents and their nonspeaking children develop unconventional but successful ways of communicating with each other.
Publications
Sponsored Awards
Exploring Next Generation Communication Technology for Minimally Verbal Autistic Individuals
Source: The Governors of the University of Calgary
March 31, 2021 – March 30, 2023
Developing and Testing a New Tool to Study Literacy in Nonspeaking Autistic People
Source: Akhil Autism Foundation
February 01, 2021 – August 31, 2022
The Developmental Trajectory of Dehumanizing Autism Attitudes
Source: PSI CHI THE INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IN PSYCHOL
September 01, 2021 – June 15, 2022
Courses
Credits: 1–3
With sponsorship and supervision by a faculty member and approval of the Dean's Office, acting for the Committee on Educational Programs and the Curriculum, students may initiate a course in which they provide the instruction. The grade is determined by the faculty member. These courses count as "outside the College." Students in the College may offer no more than 3.0 credits for the B.A. or B.S. Consult the INST course web page at http://www.uvastudentcouncil.com/student-services/initiatives/cavalier-education-program/ (copy and paste Web address into browser) for specific descriptions.
Credits: 3
Cognition is the activity of knowing: the acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge. Emphasizing fundamental issues, this course introduces such basic content areas in cognitive psychology as perception, memory, language, cognitive development, and philosophy of science. An optional weekly review session is offered for those who wish to attend.
Credits: 3
This methods course provides hands-on experience designing and conducting research in developmental psychology. The course is intended to guide students through the research process, including generating research questions, evaluating previous literature, proposing an original experiment, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings.
Credits: 3
This year-long, interdisciplinary seminar will explore how well the science of autism captures the experience of those living with autism and their families. Students will critically evaluate research in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and education, and they will work together with members of the autism community to identify new research questions that reflect the interests and concerns of the people who are most affected by autism science.
Credits: 3
This year-long, interdisciplinary seminar will explore how well the science of autism captures the experience of those living with autism and their families. Students will critically evaluate research in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and education, and they will work together with members of the autism community to identify new research questions that reflect the interests and concerns of the people who are most affected by autism science.
Credits: 3
A community engagement curriculum refers to teaching, scholarship & learning that connects faculty, students, & the community in mutually beneficial collaborations. Community engagement improves students' content knowledge, critical thinking, career choice, cultural competency, leadership, & commitment to social change. These classes complement & build on existing course offerings and offer an opportunity to move beyond the classroom.
Credits: 1–4
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of psychology.
Credits: 2–3
An original experimental project is undertaken in which each student is responsible for the design and operation of the experiment. S/U grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 14 credits of psychology and instructor permission.
Credits: 2–3
This course aims to provide faculty-supervised research experience. A faculty mentor should be identified before enrollment. S/U grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Faculty supervisor permission.
Credits: 3
In this interdisciplinary seminar, we will discuss recent research on autism at multiple levels (biological, cognitive, social) and from multiple perspectives (autistic individuals, scientists, disability studies scholars, families, schools, community/government organizations).
Credits: 3
The Pavilion Seminars are open, by instructor permission, to 3rd and 4th year students. They are 3-credit, multidisciplinary seminars, focused on big topics and limited to max. 15 students each. For detailed descriptions of current offerings, see http://college.artsandsciences.virginia.edu/PAVS.
A two-semester course in which the student prepares a thesis under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings. Prerequisite: Participants in the Distinguished Majors Program in Psychology. Enrollment Requirement: You are required to register for PSYC 3870.
A two-semester course in which the student prepares a thesis under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings.
Credits: 6
A two-semester course in which the student prepares a thesis under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings. Prerequisite: Participants in the Distinguished Majors Program in Psychology.
Credits: 3
It is estimated that 15% of individuals in the U.S. are affected by a neurodevelopmental disability, including Down syndrome, autism, developmental language disorder, dyslexia, intellectual disability, and impairments in vision and hearing. This interdisciplinary, discussion-based seminar will address the etiology and course of some of these disabilities, drawing on theoretical models, experimental findings, and the lived experience.
Credits: 1–4
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of psychology.
Credits: 2
Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.
Credits: 1–4
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of psychology.
Credits: 1–12
For master's research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.
Credits: 1–12
Independent laboratory research undertaken with advisor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and can be repeated. Instructor permission required.
Credits: 1–12
Independent laboratory research undertaken with advisor. Graded and can be repeated. Instructor permission required.
Credits: 1–12
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.
Credits: 1–12
For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.