UTD LILAC Lab

Another amazing year, another LILAC Lab photo! Meet the 2025-2026 LILAC Lab team! 🪻

We’ve updated our lab photo yet again and, true to tradition, took one professional picture and one silly one. Swipe to see the smiling faces of our research team!

We are the The Language Interaction & Language Acquisition in Children (LILAC) Lab at the University of Texas at Dallas. We research how parent-child interactions support early language development in autistic children, bilingual children, and monolingual children. As we wrap up Spring 2026 and head into the summer, we can’t wait for another year of conducting new research, working with little ones and their families, and welcoming a new cohort of students to the lab!

🌱 To learn more about us, visit the linktree in our bio!

⭐️ It’s Week 4 of our Autism Acceptance Month series and this week we’re highlighting Local + Virtual Resource and Support Groups!

From cooking classes to social groups to respite care and virtual communities, these programs create a space for independence, connection, and support for autistic dividuals and their families 💜

Whether you’re looking to build life skills, meet new people, or find a supportive community, there’s something here for all ages and needs!

✨ Swipe through to explore opportunities in the DFW area and beyond
✨ Share with someone who might benefit
✨ Let’s continue building a more inclusive and supportive community together

⭐️ It’s Week 3 of our Autism Acceptance Month series and this week we’re highlighting sensory-friendly spots across DFW!

🌈 From calm sensory rooms to hands on play and outdoor activities, there’s something for every child to explore and enjoy

🐘 Dallas Zoo Sensory Morning
🤸 We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
🎨 Kimbell Art Museum Sensory Play Space
🛝 Down to Play Indoor Playground
🖍️ ColorPalooza + The Nest sensory space

🧠 Inclusive, engaging, and designed for all abilities

👉 Swipe to find your next outing!

⭐️ It’s Week 2 of our Autism Acceptance Month series and this week we’re highlighting research!

Early communication doesn’t look the same for every child 💭

A recent study found that many autistic preschoolers with limited language still actively communicate using a mix of words, gestures, and even devices. A large portion of the words they use *aren’t* from standard “core word” lists. Instead, they’re personal, meaningful words tied to their own interests.

🔗 Want to learn more? Check the link in our bio for the full study!