ACN Lab at UofSC
The Applied Cognitive Neuropsychology lab is located in the University of South Carolina Department of Psychology.
We are committed to conducting research that bridges cognitive neuroscience with school psychology practice, to benefit children and adolescents in schools
Our Vision
The broad vision of the ACN lab is to translate neuroscientific research into an applied educational context. Such a task is complex. The field of neuroscience has exponentially grown in the last decade. Despite the many advances, it is difficult to ascertain what new developments have relevance for child development and academic achievement. There are several themes that we focus on that have the most direct relevance. The ACN has focused on three themes (but always exploring others):
1. Diagnostic Assessment
2. Service Delivery Systems and Methodology for Prevention and Intervention
3. Mind, Brain and Education
Diagnostic Assessment
Diagnostic assessment is the basis for all services to children. While the term "diagnosis" carries a variety of meanings, the first step in solving any problem is to clearly "identify" the problem. Despite what it is called, the ACN lab does a significant amount of research in neuropsychological diagnosis. The current focus of the lab involves helping children with Specific Learning Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injuries through a diagnostic assessment process. A variety of methods are used in this research including behavioral assessment instruments and electroenchephelogram.
Service Delivery Systems
No matter what breakthrough finding is discovered and its value to education, it must fit within the existing educational system. As such, our lab also does research on educational systems. Most recently, the focus has been on multi-tiered models of service delivery. Additionally, we are doing work in prevention by investigating screening methods to identify academic problems at early grade levels.
Mind, Brain, Cognition and Education
As a more broad focus of the lab, we are interested in brain-based education. That is, what is the relevance for neuroscience to general education. Our interest in this area involves general learning processes and cognitive development and its impact on educational achievement. Few doubt the significance of cognition in learning and education. However, there are many unanswered questions, like are there different components of cognition? What are the different components? What are the most important cognitive components for learning different academic areas (reading, spelling, math, etc.). Research from neuroscience can help provide answers to these questions. In turn, this information may help inform both teachers and parents how children learn and also when children struggle to learn. Designing educational environments with the "brain in mind" improves how children interact with educational environments.