My research aims to better understand various aspects of language development such as the interactions between vocabulary growth and phonological acquisition, cross-linguistic phonological acquisition, and the impact of dialect mismatch on academic achievement. My research focuses on both typical and atypical language development  (including the language development of children with cochlear implants or autism spectrum disorders). Although most adults take the ability to speak for granted, children who are learning language must acquire and synthesize a complex system of sounds, words, and social understanding. Doing so competently supports future language development, reading ability, and academic achievement. Learning to Talk describes my research on typically developing children and children with cochlear implants. Little Listeners describes my research on children with autism spectrum disorders. One of her current grants is the UMD Toggle Talk Project, a randomized control trial of a dialect shifting curriculum for kindergarten and first grade children in the Baltimore City Public Schools. For more information on her research, please select the research tab, above. Downloadable publications are available on both websites.