RADD Lab

05/19/2026

We'd like to highlight another graduate for Spring 2026. Shreshta Sinha graduated with a B.S. in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience. He is excited to continue his academic journey at Brown University for a master’s degree in biotechnology. During his time in the RADD Lab, he contributed to research focused on autism and developmental disabilities by helping collect and organize data from our sensor project. Bravo Shreshta! We are so excited to celebrate you and your next academic chapter.

05/15/2026

🎉🎉

📣Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Douglas on publishing "'Nothing Can Replace Authentic Human Interaction': EI/ECSE Professionals’ Perception of AI" in Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. 📖http://spr.ly/6180BBxIW8

05/07/2026

A huge congratulations to Alekya Vudathu, Shriya Deva, & Emily Stephenson (not pictured) on their 2nd place win at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum at MSU a couple weeks back. We'd also like to thank graduate student Chandani Bhandari who mentored them in this work. We are so proud of you and the work you do in the RADD lab.!

04/29/2026

Next up is Ayesha Rehman who is receiving her Master's degree in Child Development. She successfully defended her thesis earlier this month which was entitled: "Exploring Barriers and Practices Related to Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Pakistan."

During her time at MSU she has served as a graduate research assistant on the FamTAM (Family Telepractice in AAC Modeling) project where she led coding of parent/child interactions. She has had several publications during her time at MSU including a practitioner focused article. She also served as a Mentor in the department equity program. She plans to continue building on her research experience and pursue a PhD focused on supporting the language and communication skills of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, with the goal of developing and evaluating interventions that are both evidence-based and responsive to the communities they serve.

Bravo Ayesha! We are so proud of you!

04/28/2026

Time to celebrate another one of our graduates! Neha Menon has been with us in the lab for the past 2 years. During her time in the RADD lab she has supported the sensor project. She is graduating with a major in human biology and minor in entrepreneurship. After graduating she is taking a gap year to apply to medical school and will continue to work in the RADD lab. We are so happy to have her a bit longer.

04/27/2026

Another graduate highlight. Alina Acosta technically graduated a semester early in December, but she stuck around the lab this year to support a project about autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in Latin America. She also spent time supporting our FamTAM project during her time as an undergraduate research assistant. She plans to go to graduate school to become a speech language pathologist. We're so excited for you Alina! Bravo!

04/26/2026

😍😍😍

04/22/2026

Today we highlight Latrell Massey, who is graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology. During his time at MSU Latrell was a student in the Lyman Briggs College with a goal of becoming a physician-scientist. He has been actively involved in research, leadership, and community engagement.

In the RADD Lab, Latrell contributed to AAC-focused research by coding videos for the FamTAM project to better understand communication between children who use AAC and their caregivers. He presented this work at UURAF (April 2025, Human Development category) titled “Digital Intervention to Support SLPs & Families in Enhancing Communication Outcomes for Children Using AAC.” He also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Veenema Lab, gaining experience in neuroscience research, and was honored to receive the Lyman Briggs Research Fellowship and Honors College Research Scholarship.

Beyond research, Latrell also founded The Neurodiversity Network and served as the President and Senior Advisor. He led advocacy initiatives and built a community for neurodivergent students. He was recognized for this work with the Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion Award and the Volunteer Service Award.

Latrell's clinical and service experiences also include serving as a CLCD Summer Intern in Ghana, where he rotated through hospital units and worked with children with cerebral palsy and autism, volunteering in the pediatric department at Sparrow Hospital alongside Child Life staff, mentoring students as an MSU Pathway to Research Advisor, and participating in nine service trips with The Pearl Project MSU supporting young children in under-resourced communities.

After graduation, Latrell plans to take a gap year to continue gaining clinical and research experience and will engage in service initiatives before applying to MD-PhD programs.

Bravo Latrell! We are so proud of all you've done during your time at MSU.

04/21/2026

It's graduation time again which means we get to highlight some of the amazing research assistants who are graduating from MSU. First up is Emily Stephenson! Emily has been instrumental in helping on a dissertation project focused on the implementation of a mindfulness intervention. She is an excellent student with 4 years on the deans list. She will continue her education at Wayne State University where she will obtain a Master's degree in Social Work. We are so proud of you Emily! Can't wait to see the impact you'll make on your community.

04/06/2026

A huge shout out to Ayesha Rehman who successfully defended her thesis today focused on SLP views of augmentative and alternative communication in Pakistan. Bravo Ayesha!

01/15/2026

We're pretty excited to see a Barbie with AAC. Way to go Mattel!

💚 At Evolve, we’re really pleased to see the release of the new Autistic Barbie and the conversations it’s sparking around neurodiversity and inclusion.

What stands out most to us is the inclusion of an AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) board.
Pre-verbal, non-verbal and partially verbal communication is still rarely talked about, despite being a core part of many autistic people’s lived experience. AAC can include objects, signing, visual supports and electronic devices, and can be used alongside spoken language or as an alternative to it. Seeing AAC represented by a major brand helps individuals recognise their own communication methods as valid, understood and worth celebrating.

We also appreciate the thoughtful details:
- noise-reducing headphones
- a fidget spinner
- loose-fitting clothing and flat shoes
- articulated limbs, allowing for movement and stimming
(Although we do recognise that not every person with autism will use or align with these devices.)
Barbie is also noted to have an eye gaze that shifts slightly left to represent those who find eye contact challenging.

While Barbie has always had a recognisable body type, we see this doll as a meaningful step forward in representation and visibility. For many individuals, it’s less about perfection and more about finally seeing themselves - or their loved ones - reflected in a mainstream toy.

Representation matters, but can be difficult to get exactly right when we are all so different to one another. But when we see our differences acknowledged rather than hidden, it supports identity, confidence, and pride in who we are.

We'd love to know your thoughts and feelings on Autistic Barbie in the comments below 💬