Generally, my work focuses on the inter-relationship between
social factors influencing communication development. I have studied the influence of culture,
poverty, maternal-child interactions, maternal mental health, and disrupted
development on child learning. Because of these broad areas of interest, I
often engage in interdisciplinary research and seek collaborative relationships
with educators, counselors, pediatricians, psychologists, social workers, nurses,
and public health faculty as well as community leaders. In particular, my line of research focuses on socio-cultural,
socioeconomic, and social-emotional factors that impact children’s
communication development.
Currently, I am working on two projects studying: 1) language, memory and social language development of
internationally adopted children and 2) social communication development. I am also the founder for the International
Adoption Clinic and often provide clinical consultation.
I enjoy working with graduate students who are interested in topics related to culture, linguistic diversity, and language, social communication, and emotion development in children. I enjoy working with students who have a
thirst for knowledge and a desire to use research as an avenue to make a
difference in the lives of others.
Contact Information:
12 McGannon Hall
3750 Lindell
Blvd.
St. Louis, MO
63108-3412
PHONE: (314)
977-3380
FAX: (314)
977-3360
EMAIL:
hwafroda@slu.edu
