Highlighting Postdoctoral Researcher: Erin Bojanek, Doctorate Holder, Bachelor's Graduate ('14)
New Study Explores Visual Processing in Children with Autism
Erin Bojanek, a researcher at an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC), is delving into the world of autism, investigating how children with the condition process and complete visual information.
Bojanek's research, which focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of sensory processing differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has been guided by the mentorship of Tris Smith, PhD, a pioneer in autism research. Her work aims to better understand the perceptual processing patterns in ASD to inform interventions and supports that can improve sensory and cognitive functioning.
In her current study, Bojanek is examining how autistic kids perceive and interpret visual stimuli at both detailed (local) and holistic (global) levels. This includes exploring cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying atypical processing styles, such as enhanced local processing or difficulties integrating visual information into coherent global percepts, which are characteristic of autism.
One of the key areas Bojanek is investigating is local-global processing. She is looking at how autistic individuals complete pictures given incomplete information, and how their brain activity differs from that of neurotypical children while completing visual tasks.
Bojanek's clinical skills, honed during her doctoral studies in Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Kansas, inform her research. Her interest in working with kids was also influenced by her mom, a special education teacher.
John Foxe, PhD, and Edward Freedman, PhD, are colleagues in Bojanek's lab, while Laura Silverman, PhD, and Heather Adams, PhD, serve as her clinical supervisors. Bojanek is also an instructor in the Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab.
Bojanek plans to continue a research-focused career with a clinical component, using her findings to develop strategies that can help children with autism better navigate the visual world. Her ultimate goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by autism.
Science plays a crucial role in Bojanek's research, as she explores visual processing in children with autism to better understand medical-conditions related to sensory differences. Health-and-wellness, specifically mental-health, is a primary concern, as she aims to develop interventions and supports for neurological-disorders like autism.
Through her investigation, Bojanek is focusing on learning more about the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying atypical processing styles, like the enhanced local processing or difficulties integrating visual information often seen in autism. This forms part of her lifelong-learning journey in the field of education-and-self-development.
In her current study, Bojanek is examining the local-global processing abilities of autistic individuals, particularly how they complete pictures given incomplete information and how their brain activity differs from neurotypical children while completing visual tasks.
Ultimately, Bojanek aspires to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by autism by using her findings to develop strategies that can help children better navigate the visual world, promoting health-and-wellness, and mental-health improvements.
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