Institute for Child Development

Information on PSYC 355: Laboratory in Child Behavior

Prerequisite course requirements for Psych 355 vary depending on whether a student is taking the course to fulfill a Gen Ed requirement, to fulfill requirements for the Psychology major, or as part of the ABA track in psychology. Any students who are in their sophomore year or higher and who have taken at least one psychology course are encouraged to apply. Students interested in the experiences that PSYC 355 has to offer but who do not intend to take associated courses (i.e., PSYC 356) that would allow the course to fulfill a Gen Ed requirement are also encouraged to apply.

There will be a General Interest Meeting for PSYC 355 on October 29, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the ICD. Students who plan to attend should complete an application and bring it to the GIM. Students who are interested in participating in PSYC 335 but who cannot attend the GIM should email icdugrad@binghamton.edu

Download an application for PSYC 355: Laboratory in Child Behavior here.

What is the ICD?

Under the direction of Dr. Romanczyk, the Institute for Child Development provides services for children with a wide range of disabilities. Located behind the campus preschool, the ICD offers a full day school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and an after school reading clinic for children with reading difficulties.

What opportunities are available for undergraduates?

• At Binghamton University undergraduates have the unique opportunity to participate in courses held at the Institute for Child Development.
• Undergraduates can enroll in a series of courses that focus on providing information about the children we serve and the empirical basis of the programs used at the ICD.
• A hands-on practicum component is also a part of the courses and requires each undergraduate to commit to ten hours per week in their assigned unit. Undergraduates can:
  • Work with children in the full day school unit- CUTE
  • Work in the after school reading program unit- CULD
  • Assist with ongoing research projects at the ICD- Solving the Puzzle

Role of the Undergraduate

Undergraduate students attend a weekly seminar taught by graduate students for the purpose of providing background information about topics regarding:

• Basic behavioral principles
• Effective programming strategies
• Methods of data collection
• And other relevant issues

Students are also presented with current research in the field of educating children with disabilities.

Upon enrollment in coursework at the Institute each student will participate in CUTE, CULD or as a Research Assistant. Descriptions of the roles occupied by undergraduates in each of the Units can be found below.

CUTE/CULD Tutors and Supervisors

Tutor- Undergraduates in the initial phase of training who assist staff with a particular child or group of children under continual supervision. Feedback is provided through written and oral format by an assigned staff member and length of phase is determined by individual trainee skill acquisition.

Advanced Tutor- Undergraduates, who have a minimum of one semester or more of experience working in the unit, expected to exercise advanced instructional skills acquired in areas such as language, academics, or socio-behavioral development.

Advanced Practicum Students- Students chosen from the most exemplary undergraduates in the psychology track in ABA with responsibilities that include assistance to staff members, supervision of undergraduate trainees (training and performance evaluations), and direct instruction to the children under supervision of staff.

For a more detailed description of each unit please refer to each units webpage:

• CUTE
• CULD

Research Assistants

Research Assistants at the ICD typically assist graduate students in current research projects in the areas of childhood learning and/or developmental disabilities. Research Assistant responsibilities may include:

• Data entry
• Data collection
• Behavior coding
• Conducting assessments (for more advanced Research Assistants)
• Conducting literature searches and reviews
• Assessment scoring

Research assistants often have the opportunity to present research at major conferences