Wake Forest University

Institute for the International Education of Students, Barcelona, Spain

Research Assistant at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute

I am currently working as a Research Assistant in the Research and Education for Autism in Children (REACH) lab in the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Kennedy Krieger Institute

Research Assistant

I worked as a Research Assistant in the Developmental Psychology Lab at Wake Forest University.  As a Research Assistant I attended weekly meetings of seven student researchers and one faulty mentor to collaborate in the design, execution, and interpretation of studies on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children. I led a project evaluating whether pink noise in the background would help increase attention and self-control in children with ASD.  I led all aspects of the study of 60 participants including material and measure creation, IRB and parental consent obtention, participant recruitment, study administration and result interpretation.  I also assisted in several other projects helping to run participants and code data.

WFU Developmental Psychology Lab

Through the Wake Forest Research Fellowship, I designed and conducted a study evaluating the efficacy of early intervention techniques used for developmental delays and disabilities in toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  At Amos Cottage, I shadowed physical, speech, behavioral, and nutritional therapists through their daily appointments.  I also accompanied social workers on their home visits, and learned how to administer the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.  Additionally, I visited the NICU at Brenner Children's Hospital, and shadowed physical and nutritional therapists on their rounds with premature infants.

Brenner Children's Hospital- Amos Cottage

Intern

Through the Wake Forest Research Fellowship, I designed and conducted a study evaluating the efficacy of early intervention techniques used for developmental delays and disabilities in toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  At ABC, I worked as a teacher's assistant in the toddler classroom.  I also collected and recorded data at certain intervals throughout the day to track each child’s progress towards their specific target goals in their Individualized Education Plans.  At the end of the summer, I compiled all the data and analyzed each child's progress over the course of the three month program.  I presented my findings at the WFU Undergraduate Research Conference in the Fall of 2013.

Courtney Andrews