Blythe A. Corbett, Ph.D.
James G. Blakemore Chair and Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Professor of Psychology; Associate Director, Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
VKC Member
Overview of Interests
Blythe Corbett’s translational research program, the Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) lab, aims to evaluate the socioemotional responsivity of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using several methods of analysis, including: neuropsychological testing, sophisticated behavioral observational techniques; neuroimaging; and the assessment of biological markers of emotional arousal or stress, such as cortisol. Corbett examines the biobehavioral profiles of autism to better understand factors that enhance or diminish the response to social and nonsocial stress. The ultimate goal of these interwoven studies of peer interaction, social competence and psychosocial stress is to directly translate into novel, efficacious treatments. Dr. Corbett is the founder of SENSE Theatre, a peer-mediated, theatre-based, intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional abilities of children, adolescents and adults with ASD. Her current research projects are focused on better understanding social functioning and stress over pubertal development in ASD and typical development and investigating the impact of treatments aimed at improving social competence in a multisite randomized clinical trial.
The Promise of Discovery Podcast: "Using Theatre to Improve Social Communication Skills in Individuals on the Autism Spectrum"
The Promise of Discovery Podcast: "Examining Pubertal Timing in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder"
The Promise of Discovery Podcast: "Children with Autism Report Greater Gender Diversity"
Website
http://vkc.vumc.org/senselab
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