Section: Research

William McIlvane, Ph.D.

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Psychiatry

Other Affiliation(s):
   Clinical and Population Health Research
   Program in Neuroscience
   Shriver Center

Research Interests

Dr. Mcllvane directs a broad research program that addresses a variety of scientific problems relevant to understanding and perhaps correcting behavior deficits of persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities. One area of deficit, for example, is in symbolic behaviors involved in communication (speaking, listening, reading, writing, etc.). One focus of his program is development of methods to encourage progressively more rapid learning of symbolic behaviors. Another is to adapt behavioral neuroscience methods - including animal modeling - to further understanding of brain processes involved in symbolic behavior. A second focus of Dr. Mcllvane's program is to develop valid nonverbal neuropsychological testing methods for use with individuals and populations that do not understand verbal instructions. Methods developed in this aspect of his research have been adapted to further understanding of the behavioral profiles associated with disorders such as autism, depression, and neurotoxicant exposure. In addition, Dr. Mcllvane's program has a strong research-to-practice emphasis. For example, methods emerging from laboratory research are being used to teach practical skills in regular and special education classrooms in both the United States and in Brasil.

Ongoing Projects

Studies in Stimulus Control in Mental Retardation
Behavioral Studies of Mental Retardation and Depression
Process Analysis in Behavioral Allocation and Persistence in Severe Mental Retardation
Translational Studies of Neurobehavioral Effects of Mercury Exposure
Optimizing Discrete-Trial Procedures for Autism Spectrum Disorder Children
Tests of Attention and Memory in Individuals with Intellectual Limitations

Office: Shriver
Phone: 781-642-0153
E-mail: William.Mcilvane@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Child Mental Health, Health Disparities, Learning and Memory, Disability, Obesity

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