Gael Orsmond, PhD Research
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► Research

► Current Projects

• Adolescents and Adults with Autism: A Study of Family Caregiving

° AAA Study Reports

° Research Team

• Conceptualizations of Friendships in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

► Past Projects

RESEARCH

Dr. Gael Orsmond is a developmental and clinical psychologist whose research program focuses on social issues related to developmental disabilities. Her two main areas of research are: (1) the impact of developmental disabilities (such as autism and Down syndrome) on the family, how that impact is experienced over the life course, and how different family members (mothers, fathers, siblings) adapt; (2) social relationships in individuals with autism.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Adolescents and Adults with Autism: A Study of Family Caregiving

Dr. Orsmond is Co-Director and Co-Investigator on this project funded by the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG08768). She directs all research activities for this project in Massachusetts.  Dr. Marsha Mailick Seltzer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the project Principal Investigator.

This longitudinal study focuses on the development of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) through adolescence and adulthood, and how family members adapt over time.  Since 1999, we have been following over 400 families who reside in Massachusetts or Wisconsin.  We have interviewed mothers and other guardians, and fathers and siblings have participated by completing mailed questionnaires.  We are extremely grateful to the families who have given so generously of their time and shared their lives with us. Over the years we have written study reports to share with the families participating in our study. 

► Study Reports (Click to View)

RESEARCH TEAM:

Project Director: Gael Orsmond, PhD (617) 353-2703 gorsmond@bu.edu	Project Manager: Paula Donnelly (617) 353-2060 pd28@b.edu	Postdoctoral Fellow: Anne Snow annesnow@bu.edu
Interviewer: Melissa Sankey	Interviewer: Anne Beatty Collins	Interviewer: Marla Haddad	Interviewer: Karen Kennedy
Research Assistant: Hsin-yu (Melissa) Kuo hsinyu@bu.edu	Research Assistant: Sarah Stultz sestultz@bu.edu	Research Assistant: Annamarie Francisco anne87@bu.edu	Research Assistant & Interviewer: Sharon Goodwin sharong@bu.edu

Conceptualizations of Friendships in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Drs. Gael Orsmond and Ellen Cohn are currently collaborating on a mixed-method study examining how adolescents with an ASD understand and perceive friendships. A pilot study was study was funded by the Occupational Therapy Department at Boston University.

PAST PROJECTS

Adolescent Siblings of Brothers or Sisters with Autism

Additional funding from National Institute on Child Health and Human Development (R03 HD039185; Orsmond, PI) in 2004 provided an opportunity to interview adolescent siblings from the families participating in our longitudinal study on adolescents and adults with autism and their families.

Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College Dept of Occupational Therapy 635 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215 (617-353-2000) Boston University | Sargent College | OT Programs | BU Info Center| Directory

April 21, 2009