During a cold, snowy January in 2002, Towson University faculty and students teamed with staff from Children in Common and Adoptions Together to provide rehabilitation services to children with disabilities in Russian orphanages. To learn more about our trip, click on the link below.
Current Language Development Research Projects
At this time we are seeking children to participate in a long-term study of language development in internationally adopted children. Details are listed below.
Who Can Participate? We are looking for children adopted from Eastern Europe between the ages of 14 to 36 months. Children need to be seen for their first visit for the study within 3 months of adoption. If your child has been home longer than 3 months, we won't be able to include him or her in this study.
What Will My Child Have to Do? Children are seen for an evaluation of their social interaction skills, language, and sensory-motor development. Parents stay in the room and actively interact with their children during the evaluations. Younger children participate in play-based assessment tasks while sitting on the floor or in a highchair. Older children are given a combination of play activities and tests that require looking and talking about pictures. Children are also given a hearing screening at the end of the evaluation. Evaluations typically last 2 hours and are free of charge. After the evaluation your child's results will be shared with you and a brief report will be mailed within a few weeks.
How Often Will We Need to Participate? During the first year, children are seen for three evaluations scheduled 6 months apart. In-between the evaluations parents are sent questionnaires to complete. After the first three evaluations are completed, children are seen on an annual basis. Plans are to follow the children through the elementary school years.
Where Does the Project Take Place? Evaluations take place at the Towson University Speech and Hearing Clinic on Friday mornings during fall and spring semesters. Towson University is located just inside the Baltimore beltway (I-695) on the north side of Baltimore. Families will need to be able to drive to Towson University for all study visits. We have no research funding to provide reimbursement for any travel costs.
How Do I Sign Up my Child? If you are interested in having your child participate in this project, please email Dr. Sharon Glennen at sglennen@towson.edu Many parents contact us when they have a confirmed referral of a child, others contact us after the child comes home. In the email, indicate the child's date of birth, age when adopted, the date of adoption, country of adoption, and child's current age. If you haven't adopted your child, tell us when you expect to travel. In addition provide your name, address and phone number. If you have any questions about the project, include them in the email.
