In all behavioral and neuroimaging studies conducted in the Behavioral Neurogenetics Research Center (BNRC) and the Stanford Psychiatry Neuroimaging Lab (SPNL), research pariticipants complete a cognitive and behavioral assessment supervised by a licensed psychologist. This assessment measures general cognitive skills, behavioral/emotional problems, and specific neuropsychological strengths and weaknesses that are unique to the individual's syndrome or disorder. The assessment, depending on the study design, may cover the following areas:

Cognitive

• General intellectual functioning
• Profile of verbal and nonverbal abilities
• Visual-spatial reasoning
• Executive functioning
• Verbal fluency
• Evaluation of expressive and receptive language

Behavioral/Emotional

• Psychiatric interviews
• Assessment of child adaptive behavior (Communication, Socialization, Daily Living Skills)
• Assessment of child behavior problems and psychological symptoms
• Parent and teacher reports of school curriculum and services
• Assessment of parenting stress
• Assessment of the home and family environment
• Videotaped observation of child behavior

Families of research participants receive feedback on some of the above assessments in the form of a written research evaluation report. These reports are often useful to physicians, therapists, and school personnel involved in treatment and curriculum planning.