The Psychophysiology, Autism, Anxiety, and NeuroDevelopmental Adaptation (PAANDA) Lab
Mission
The mission of the Psychophysiology, Autism, Anxiety, and NeuroDevelopmental Adaptation (PAANDA) Lab is to advance our understanding of risk and protective factors contributing to social-emotional difficulties, including anxiety symptoms, in autistic and non-autistic youth.
Meet Our Team
The PAANDA Lab brings together faculty, graduate students, undergraduate research assistants and research collaborators who share an interest in understanding anxiety and mental health in autistic youth. Led by Dr. Heather Yarger, the team combines expertise in clinical psychology, autism, anxiety, psychophysiology, health equity, assessment and data analysis. Students gain hands-on research experience while contributing to studies designed to better understand the experiences of autistic youth and improve the identification and treatment of anxiety.
Assessing Anxiety in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADORA) Study
Anxiety is common among autistic youth, but identifying anxiety can be challenging, particularly for adolescents who have difficulty communicating their experiences. The ADORA Study examines developmental factors that may increase or reduce the risk of anxiety in autistic adolescents.
Researchers are studying both autistic and nonautistic adolescents to determine whether differences in autonomic nervous system activity, such as changes in heart rate and other physiological responses, may serve as a biological marker of anxiety. The findings could help researchers and clinicians better identify anxiety in autistic youth and inform the development of more effective interventions.
