https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-rss/?orgId=118765&title=Latest+News A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Chawarska Lab en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Thu, 14 May 2026 19:06:23 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/recognizing-long-term-service-ycsc/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/recognizing-long-term-service-ycsc/ Thirty-five Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) faculty and staff members were recognized for long-term service at Yale as of fiscal year 2026. YCSC community members gather annually each spring to mark milestone work anniversaries at a departmental community meeting. Thu, 07 May 2026 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/what-are-stereotypies/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/what-are-stereotypies/ Researchers are digging into repetitive movements known as motor stereotypies, studying what behaviors they might forecast, what drives them, and when to intervene. Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/april-2026-autism-conference-at-yale-reg-extended/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/april-2026-autism-conference-at-yale-reg-extended/ The deadline to register for an upcoming autism conference at Yale has been extended to April 3, 2026. The symposium-style event will be focused on advances in understanding autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in infants and young children. It will be held at Yale on April 8, 2026, hosted by the Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program at Yale Child Study Center. Registration is free. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/april-2026-autism-conference/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/april-2026-autism-conference/ A conference focused on advances in understanding autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in infants and young children will be held at Yale on April 8, 2026, hosted by the Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program at Yale Child Study Center. Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/from-the-journals-issue-175/ https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/from-the-journals-issue-175/ A collection of recent journal publications from Yale School of Medicine researchers. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/brain-network-active-at-birth-linked-to-social-behavior-later-in-life/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/brain-network-active-at-birth-linked-to-social-behavior-later-in-life/ A brain network linked to social attention is functional in newborns, a Yale study finds. It may underlie some of the social vulnerabilities associated with autism. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-long-term-service-2025/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-long-term-service-2025/ Approximately 70 members of the Yale Child Study Center community recently gathered together in a hybrid format—both in-person and by Zoom—to celebrate 46 YCSC faculty and staff members being honored for their respective years of service at Yale University, from five up to 40 years. Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/puppetry-training-autism/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/puppetry-training-autism/ Yale Child Study Center hosted a “Making Connections through Puppetry” training with New York City theater company Wonderspark Puppets for the second time in March. Intended for professionals and trainees who work with children diagnosed with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, the workshop teaches attendees ways to use puppetry to enhance engagement, motivation, and build relationships. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-professional-progression/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-professional-progression/ On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, twelve members of the Yale Child Study Center community were recognized for professional progression in the prior academic year. Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/everyday-communication-part-3/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/everyday-communication-part-3/ In the latest SANA blog post, the third in a four-part series, social worker and speech and language pathologist Megan Lyons offers a multitude of tips for utilizing everyday activities to promote communication at home. In this third part, she discusses tips for helping children understand language. Check out part one for tips for helping children with imitation skills, and part two for helping children with turn-taking skills! Tue, 20 Aug 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-2024-award-recipients/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-2024-award-recipients/ On June 26, 2024, Yale Child Study Center community members came together in a hybrid format for the department’s third annual awards and recognition event to honor award recipients and retirees. Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/everyday-communication-part-2/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/everyday-communication-part-2/ In the latest SANA blog post, the second in a four-part series, social worker and speech and language pathologist Megan Lyons offers a multitude of tips for utilizing everyday activities to promote communication at home. In this second part, she discusses tips for helping children with turn-taking skills. Check out part one for tips for helping children with imitation skills! Fri, 21 Jun 2024 17:55:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/research-families-practitioners/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/research-families-practitioners/ A new webpage has been launched at the Yale Child Study Center to allow families and referring practitioners – and soon school-based personnel – to view and access more than 30 research participation opportunities at the center. Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/family-history-siblings-autism/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/family-history-siblings-autism/ A study conducted by YCSC professor Katarzyna Chawarska and colleagues suggests that children who have an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (autism) are at greater risk of developmental vulnerabilities if they also have other relatives with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions. Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/everyday-communication-part-1/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/everyday-communication-part-1/ In the latest Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) blog post, the first in a four-part series, social worker and speech and language pathologist Megan Lyons offers a multitude of tips for utilizing everyday activities to promote communication at home. In this first part, she discusses tips for helping children with imitation skills. Mon, 20 May 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/autism-conference-at-yale-highlights-latest-research-and-clinical-advances/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/autism-conference-at-yale-highlights-latest-research-and-clinical-advances/ The fifth annual early autism conference at Yale took place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, with approximately 100 participants. The event was hosted by the Yale Child Study Center Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) Program, directed by Emily Fraser Beedy Professor Kasia Chawarska. Fri, 10 May 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/korean-autism-orchestra-visits-yale/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/korean-autism-orchestra-visits-yale/ Approximately 60 Yale and New Haven community members gathered at the Yale Child Study Center on Friday, April 12, 2024, for a special mini concert performed by the Onnuri Sarang Chamber Orchestra, visiting from Korea. Tue, 23 Apr 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/spring-2024-postgraduate-associate-travel-awards/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/spring-2024-postgraduate-associate-travel-awards/ The results of the Yale Child Study Center Spring 2024 round of awards for the department’s postgraduate travel award have been announced. The award offers $500 toward travel expenses for YCSC postgraduate associates attending national or international scientific conferences. Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/the-power-of-the-breath/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/the-power-of-the-breath/ In this blog post, Karyn Bailey, LCSW, offers advice on the value of deep breathing. This is a step-by-step guide to learning a simple but very effective technique to help alleviate stress, for adults and children alike. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:15:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/chawarska-and-colleagues-receive-2024-nancy-staub-publications-award/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/chawarska-and-colleagues-receive-2024-nancy-staub-publications-award/ Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Professor Kasia Chawarska, Senior Research Scientist Suzanne Macari, and their co-authors were honored with the 2024 Nancy Staub Publications Award for excellence in writing on the art of puppetry on March 21. Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/self-care-strategies-for-parents-and-caregivers-part-2/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/self-care-strategies-for-parents-and-caregivers-part-2/ In the latest Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) blog post, Yale Child Study Center Social Worker Amy Giguere Carney writes about how parenting can be a rich, joyful, fulfilling experience -- and can also be incredibly stressful and exhausting, often more so for parents of children with special needs. Several strategies and practices to employ are offered to help manage this stress. This is the second part of self-care strategies. Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/january-2024-ycsc-faculty-development-fund-awardees/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/january-2024-ycsc-faculty-development-fund-awardees/ The Yale Child Study Center announced the results of the January 2024 round of awards for the department’s Clinical and Research Faculty Development Fund. Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:00:00 Z https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f4I_lAci9ZB7BYnI3A15RCVbNQ9RNJdn/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f4I_lAci9ZB7BYnI3A15RCVbNQ9RNJdn/view?usp=sharing Complex motor stereotypies, or stereotyped movements, are repetitive and rhythmic movements that usually start in early childhood and often continue into adulthood. The movements may include hand flapping, waving, rotating or tensing of body parts, and are observed just as frequently in both boys and girls. It is worth noting that children often develop their own "signature" movement patterns. Some may flap their arms while walking in circles, while others may repeatedly shrug their shoulders or tense their hands. Complex motor stereotypies may be distinguished from simple motor stereotypies. The latter are common in early childhood, and include nail biting, tapping or fidgeting, and usually disappear as children grow older. Complex motor stereotypies are frequently observed in children with autism, developmental delays, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], anxiety, and some neurological conditions. However, they also occur in children who are developing typically. Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/blog-for-families-on-yale-autism-website/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/blog-for-families-on-yale-autism-website/ The YCSC Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) Program recently launched a new blog to provide current information and resources for parents, family members, and other caregivers of children with autism. Monthly blog posts written by clinical and research faculty and staff will highlight the lab’s research, staff, and resources. Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/self-care-strategies-parents/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/self-care-strategies-parents/ In the latest Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) blog post, Yale Child Study Center Social Worker Amy Giguere Carney writes about how parenting can be a rich, joyful, fulfilling experience -- and can also be incredibly stressful and exhausting, often more so for parents of children with special needs. Several strategies and practices to employ are offered to help manage this stress. Sat, 20 Jan 2024 17:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/social-and-affective-neuroscience-of-autism-lab/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/social-and-affective-neuroscience-of-autism-lab/ The Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) lab focuses on early social and affective development of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. In this inaugural blog post by SANA Program Director Kasia Chawarska, PhD, two studies are featured that are actively recruiting infants and young children. Wed, 20 Dec 2023 18:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-celebrates-professional-progression/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/ycsc-celebrates-professional-progression/ Several members of the Yale Child Study Center community recently came together in person to celebrate and recognize recent academic and professional progression among faculty and staff. Department Chair Linda Mayes (pictured) provided opening remarks and served cake to attendees. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-july-2023/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-july-2023/ In addition to new clinical trainees and undergraduate summer interns, the Yale Child Study Center welcomes several research trainees each summer. This year, two returning community members were also welcomed back to the department along with several new outstanding research trainees. Learn more about these new additions to the department. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/yale-child-study-center-recognizes-2023-award-recipients-and-retirees/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/yale-child-study-center-recognizes-2023-award-recipients-and-retirees/ On June 21, 2023, Yale Child Study Center community members came together in a hybrid format for the department’s second annual recognition and award ceremony to honor internal award recipients and retirees. Fri, 07 Jul 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/recognizing-ycsc-faculty-and-staff-for-long-term-service-at-yale/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/recognizing-ycsc-faculty-and-staff-for-long-term-service-at-yale/ Thirty-nine Yale Child Study Center community members were recognized this spring for long-term service to the University. Wed, 07 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/spring-2023-postgraduate-travel-awardees-announced/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/spring-2023-postgraduate-travel-awardees-announced/ The results of the Yale Child Study Center Spring 2023 round of awards for the department’s postgraduate travel award were announced on May 22. The award which offers $500 toward travel expenses for postgraduate associates attending national or international scientific conferences. Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-april-2023/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-april-2023/ Learn more about the faculty, staff, and trainees who have joined the Yale Child Study Center community in the last few months, including Una Casey, Julian Hinz, and those who joined from the former Haskins Laboratories. Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/chawarska-selected-as-2023-fellow-for-international-society-for-autism-research/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/chawarska-selected-as-2023-fellow-for-international-society-for-autism-research/ Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Professor Kasia Chawarska was recently selected by the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) as a 2023 INSAR Fellow. Mon, 10 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-march-2023/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-march-2023/ In addition to the two new Yale Child Study Center community members announced last month, several others have joined since January, including Aidan Doyle, Bivas Nag, Sara Sanchez-Alonso, and Upasna Srivastava. Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/yale-autism-institute-announces-record-number-of-registrants/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/yale-autism-institute-announces-record-number-of-registrants/ With over 400 registrants from around the world, the July 2022 Yale Autism Summer Institute was the largest to date hosted by the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) Program and Autism Center of Excellence (ACE). Fri, 09 Sep 2022 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/yale-researcher-seeks-to-understand-the-biology-behind-autism-spectrum-disorder/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/chawarska/news-article/yale-researcher-seeks-to-understand-the-biology-behind-autism-spectrum-disorder/ To improve the scientific basis for understanding autism spectrum disorder, James McPartland, PhD, is studying the biomarkers associated with the condition—biological characteristics that can be objectively measured. Thu, 27 Jan 2022 04:00:00 Z