Amanda M. O'Brien

Simons Center Postdoctoral Fellow / Schulz Lab @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Bergelson Lab @ Harvard University

I am an interdisciplinary developmental cognitive neuroscientist and speech-language pathologist. I investigate how brain networks and behaviors that support speech and language emerge, interact, and diverge in typical and atypical development, with a focus on autism.

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Research

I conduct clinically informed neuroscience research to advance fundamental knowledge of speech and language and improve the lives of autistic people. Using neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI), behavioral paradigms, experience-based questionnaires, and participatory design, I study speech and language across diverse communication profiles: from non-speaking individuals with autism, to infants and toddlers with emerging speech, to verbally fluent autistic and neurotypical populations.

Theme 1

Examine the brain and behavioral relationships between speech production, perception, and language development in typical and atypical development.

Theme 2

Investigate the variability of speech and language abilities and experiences, with a focus on early development and profound autism.

Theme 3

Refine theories of typical and atypical speech and language development.

Selected Publications

Full list on Google Scholar · ORCID: 0000-0001-5350-5457

Teaching

My teaching philosophy is guided by three core principles: (1) fostering trust through connection and clear communication, (2) engaging students through hands-on and real-world learning opportunities, and (3) promoting inclusivity and accessibility through practices such as Universal Design for Learning. Courses taught:

Research Design (MGH Institute of Health Professions · Spring · 2023)

Instructor of record. The course focuses on types of research, research designs, research methods, evidence-based practice, and statistics that are commonly used to investigate typical and disordered human communication.

Physiology, Acoustics, and Perception of Speech (MGH Institute of Health Professions · Summer · 2022)

Instructor of record. This course covers advanced topics in the physiology and acoustics of speech production and the perception of speech. Laboratory methods for studying the production and perception of speech are also presented.

CV

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News

Contact

Email: amobrien@mit.edu · Office: Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT

Google Scholar · ORCID