The Language, Autism, Motor, and Behavior Lab
is a developmental science lab in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, directed by Rita Obeid, PhD.
About Us
Welcome to the Language, Autism, Motor, and Behavior (LAMB) Lab, directed by Dr. Rita Obeid in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. We study how language, motor, and social development connect in children, including autistic children and children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Our work examines how early motor skills relate to language and social understanding, how play-based observation could help identify children who need support sooner, and what caregivers need to thrive. We use mixed-methods and participatory research: caregivers in Cleveland help shape our questions as community co-researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students take part in every stage of our projects.
Our Research
Learn about our work on motor and language development, caregiver well-being, and the Golden Rules of Friendship.
Join the Lab
Research positions for undergraduate and graduate students interested in developmental science.
Values
In this lab, we believe that research is strongest when it is built with the communities it aims to serve. We partner with caregivers as co-researchers, not only as participants, and we study the strengths that help families thrive as well as the barriers they face. We use identity-first language and center the voices of autistic and neurodivergent people. We are committed to mentoring students as researchers, to equity in who is studied and how, and to producing work that leads to practical, inclusive change for children and families in Cleveland and beyond.