Welcome to the Wilson Motor Lab!

The Wilson Motor Lab was established by Dr. Rujuta Wilson, a behavioral child neurologist specializing in autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Our current research focuses on motor phenotyping, using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify motor differences that may be related to atypical development of language, social communication, and cognition, as well as risk for later autism diagnosis. Through our research, we aim to achieve a comprehensive clinical and theoretical understanding of motor function and development in neurodevelopmental disorders and to develop novel motor phenotyping techniques that can be utilized to inform clinical screening, early risk detection, and targeted intervention.

The Wilson Motor Lab was established by Dr. Rujuta Wilson, a behavioral child neurologist specializing in autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Through our research, we aim to achieve a comprehensive clinical and theoretical understanding of motor function and development in neurodevelopmental disorders and to develop novel motor phenotyping techniques that can be utilized to inform clinical screening and targeted intervention.

The Wilson Motor Lab serves as the motor phenotyping core of the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment and is also part of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, the Division of Pediatric Neurology, and UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

Get Involved

Research utilizing innovative technology

Gain valuable insights into your child's development by participating in one of our research studies

Adaptive sports & dance

Join one of our partner sports and dance programs, specifically adapted for children with disabilities

Resources & Services for families

Explore tips, tools, services, and carefully curated resources to support your child and family

At the Wilson Motor Lab, our research utilizes innovative technologies and advanced analytical techniques to characterize and evaluate motor function and development in individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan. 

Our Mission

Our lab is driven by its mission to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for the individuals and families we serve. To achieve this mission, we focus on utilizing objective methods to improve our understanding of motor development and motor differences in neurodevelopmental disorders. Through our research, we aim to (1) improve the characterization and evaluation of motor development, (2) better understand how specific motor differences can impact other developmental domains such as cognition and language, and (3) develop more effective interventions that can target these motor differences and improve overall neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Active Research Studies

Adaptive Sports Programs

Explore some of our partner adaptive sports programs.

The Expressive Movement Initiative (EMI) aims to introduce the art of creative movement and therapeutic dance to children with developmental disabilities. Volunteer dance teachers are paired one-on-one with an EMI student, modifying movements to accommodate each dancer at weekly dance classes.

ACEing Autism is a national tennis organization that makes the sport of tennis available to children with autism spectrum disorders as a means to enhance health, fitness, hand-eye coordination, motor development and to improve their social skills.

Team Prime Time’s mission is to provide sports intervention programs for at-risk children from low-income areas of Los Angeles. Team Prime Time combines academics, athletics, leadership training, and the arts to help students reach their full potential.

Adaptive Sports Programs

Explore some of our partner adaptive sports programs.

The Expressive Movement Initiative (EMI) aims to introduce the art of creative movement and therapeutic dance to children with developmental disabilities. Volunteer dance teachers are paired one-on-one with an EMI student, modifying movements to accommodate each dancer at weekly dance classes.

ACEing Autism is a national tennis organization that makes the sport of tennis available to children with autism spectrum disorders as a means to enhance health, fitness, hand-eye coordination, motor development and to improve their social skills.

Team Prime Time’s mission is to provide sports intervention programs for at-risk children from low-income areas of Los Angeles. Team Prime Time combines academics, athletics, leadership training, and the arts to help students reach their full potential.

Hours

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Monday – Friday

Contact

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