The F. R. Carrick Institute

Focus on Autism

The scientists of C.E.R.A.N are now exerting their efforts in developing:

Fundamental understanding of autistic spectrum disorders

and

Developing new effective treatment and intervention strategies

 

A Long Island, New York based research institute associated with Winthrop University Hospital

 

Biomedical Engineering Group

▪ This group has addressed applications areas such as: in systemics, optimisation, and computational models have been pursued as well as in Human Factors and Ergonomics, digital image processing, and in electrophysiology and signal analysis, examining the Kinesiology of movement and gait, speech synthesis, recognition, and acoustics as well as computational systems in rehabilitation.

Neurocybernetics Group

▪ Developments have included computer models of nervous system function and dysfunction employing applications of theoretical physics, artificial neural networks, linear and non-linear models, bifurcation theory, and chaos theory as vehicles for simulating nervous system function and dysfunction.

Neuroscience Group

▪ Areas of investigation include Clinical Systems Neuroscience using electrophysiological methods including EMG, EEG, EOG, evoked potentials and event-related potentials, imaging, computational modeling, psychophysics and signal detection theory, applied to developmental disabilities

Rehabilitation and Applied Biosciences Group

 

Ongoing research in rehabilitation application of Evolutionary Psychology, Developmental Disability, Cognition, Kinesiology, and Rehabilitation (neuropsychology).

 

Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuropsychology, Curriculum, and Human Factors Groups

 

Methods of Psychological Science have been employed to develop theoretical and applied strategies in rehabilitation applications in Autism and Developmental Disorders. Research bridges the gap between Cognitive Science, Communication Sciences, Systemics, brain imaging, and Computational Neuroscience on the one hand and curriculum and instruction on the other. Changes in the electrical activity of the brain during cognition have been examined and changes in blood flow and metabolic activity of the brain during cognition are being examined. Mechanisms by which neural networks generate voluntary actions, memory, thinking, problem solving, language and emotion are being examined to learn how these capabilities malfunction in persons with brain dysfunction and developmental disabilities.

 

▪ Rehabilitation applications include: direct retraining, process training, attention-concentration training, strategy training, nutrient and drug treatment effects of cognitive performance, and domain specific training to facilitate cognitive work, ability to function independently, the facilitation of specialized school placement, and issues.

 

Applied and Theoretical Linguistics Group

 

▪ As language and communication are central and fundamental to traumatic brain dysfunction, developmental disabilities and training, intensive independent work in Applied and Theoretical Linguistics including:  Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory, Neural and Computational Methods of Speech Perception and Production, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Computational Linguistics , Language Acquisition, Cognitive Development and Language, Neurolinguistics and Language Disorders, Child Language Disorders

 

 

The Central Model for

Cognitive Neuroscience and Education in Rehabilitation of Autistics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

· At its core, CERAN has a sharp focus on basic issues in Experimental Psychology, and extensions into two primary areas: (1) Human Factors Engineering and Design (HFED); and (2) Applied Cognitive Neuroscience, applied to Rehabilitation.

· CERAN has developed an integrated research focus formalized through graduate training that addresses central issues of modern cognitive neuroscience applied to rehabilitation outlined in the figure below. Because of the significant opportunities (and potential problems) created by the rapid proliferation of information technologies, it should be noted that Rehabilitation Sciences cannot possibly be studied from a uni-disciplinary perspective.

· CERAN'S mission stresses standard and novel strategies employing traditional Psychological as well as Engineering and Neurocognitive approaches to Rehabilitation Science clinically and experimentally focusing on the design of user-interface, instrumentation, technology, and principles to do what ever is necessary for the vocational rehabilitation of impaired individuals and children to get them to be more effective learners and workers.

 

 

F. R. Carrick Institute Framework

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Further Information Call: Dr. Gerry Leisman Scientific Director, F. R. Carrick Isntitiute, 2750 Veteran’s Highway Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 (631) 428-2168 carrickinst@aol.com