Information

Related Research Units

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center Research
Developmental Medicine Research
Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience Research

Research Overview

Dr. Susan Faja studied Neuroscience at the University of Michigan before receiving her doctoral degree in Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington in 2009. She completed an internship at UCLA in the developmental disabilities track and postdoctoral fellowships focused on clinical neuroscience at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Washington. Her research at the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience in the Division of Developmental Medicine focuses on the executive control, social cognition and social perception of children with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental delays.

In particular, the Faja Lab seeks to understand changes in these systems resulting from targeted interventions by using electrophysiological as well as behavioral measurement tools. This approach allows for exploration of the developmental processes that contribute to behavioral symptoms, understanding how interventions work, and provides a platform for rigorously testing novel interventions. In addition, the Faja Lab is interested in understanding why individuals with autism spectrum disorders have such striking differences in their development. Understanding these individual differences will lead to better understanding of the causes of neurodevelopmental disorders and allow for treatments to be delivered with more precision and efficiency.

Education

Undergraduate School

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor MI

Graduate School

University of Washington
Seattle WA

Internship

University of California at Los Angeles
Los Angeles CA

Publications

  1. Exploring social cognition and romantic self-efficacy in autistic young adults: Better social awareness is associated with lower confidence. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2024 Oct; 118. View Abstract
  2. Spatiotemporal Eye Movement Dynamics Reveal Altered Face Prioritization in Early Visual Processing Among Autistic Children. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2025 Jan; 10(1):45-57. View Abstract
  3. Perceptions of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder on How Health Care Providers Address Sexual Health. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2024 Sep-Oct 01; 45(5):e406-e413. View Abstract
  4. Parsing evoked and induced gamma response differences in Autism: A visual evoked potential study. Clin Neurophysiol. 2024 Sep; 165:55-63. View Abstract
  5. Modeling intra-individual inter-trial EEG response variability in autism. Stat Med. 2024 Jul 30; 43(17):3239-3263. View Abstract
  6. Mind the Gap: Executive Function Is Associated with the Discrepancy Between Cognitive and Adaptive Functioning in Autistic Children Without Cognitive Delay. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 May 23. View Abstract
  7. Piloting a battery to evaluate parasympathetic reactivity and externalizing behaviours during early childhood in autism spectrum disorder. Infant Child Dev. 2024 Nov-Dec; 33(6). View Abstract
  8. Autism-associated brain differences can be observed in utero using MRI. Cereb Cortex. 2024 04 01; 34(4). View Abstract
  9. Irritability as a Transdiagnostic Risk Factor for Functional Impairment in Autistic and Non-autistic Toddlers and Preschoolers. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol. 2024 04; 52(4):551-565. View Abstract
  10. Constrained Multivariate Functional Principal Components Analysis for Novel Outcomes in Eye-Tracking Experiments. Stat Biosci. 2024 Dec; 16(3):578-603. View Abstract
  11. The Selective Social Attention task in children with autism spectrum disorder: Results from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC-CT) feasibility study. Autism Res. 2023 11; 16(11):2150-2159. View Abstract
  12. Short report: Recommendations for education, clinical practice, research, and policy on promoting well-being in autistic youth and adults through a positive focus on sexuality and gender diversity. Autism. 2024 03; 28(3):770-779. View Abstract
  13. Reduced Visual Evoked Potential Amplitude in Autistic Children with Co-Occurring Features of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Aug; 54(8):2917-2925. View Abstract
  14. Evaluation of clinical assessments of social abilities for use in autism clinical trials by the autism biomarkers consortium for clinical trials. Autism Res. 2023 05; 16(5):981-996. View Abstract
  15. Resting frontal alpha asymmetry as a predictor of executive and affective functioning in children with neurodevelopmental differences. Front Psychol. 2022; 13:1065598. View Abstract
  16. Here's the Story: Narrative Ability and Executive Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2023 Mar; 101. View Abstract
  17. Concomitant medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials. Autism. 2023 05; 27(4):952-966. View Abstract
  18. A functional model for studying common trends across trial time in eye tracking experiments. Stat Biosci. 2023 Apr; 15(1):261-287. View Abstract
  19. The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials: Initial Evaluation of a Battery of Candidate EEG Biomarkers. Am J Psychiatry. 2023 01 01; 180(1):41-49. View Abstract
  20. Sexual Knowledge, Experiences, and Pragmatic Language in Adults With and Without Autism: Implications for Sex Education. J Autism Dev Disord. 2023 Oct; 53(10):3770-3786. View Abstract
  21. Attention Allocation During Exploration of Visual Arrays in ASD: Results from the ABC-CT Feasibility Study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2023 Aug; 53(8):3220-3229. View Abstract
  22. Multilevel hybrid principal components analysis for region-referenced functional electroencephalography data. Stat Med. 2022 08 30; 41(19):3737-3757. View Abstract
  23. Identifying Age Based Maturation in the ERP Response to Faces in Children With Autism: Implications for Developing Biomarkers for Use in Clinical Trials. Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13:841236. View Abstract
  24. Beyond group differences: Exploring the preliminary signals of target engagement of an executive function training for autistic children. Autism Res. 2022 07; 15(7):1261-1273. View Abstract
  25. Patterns of Intervention Utilization Among School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from a Multi-Site Research Consortium. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2022 Jun; 94. View Abstract
  26. The autism biomarkers consortium for clinical trials: evaluation of a battery of candidate eye-tracking biomarkers for use in autism clinical trials. Mol Autism. 2022 03 21; 13(1):15. View Abstract
  27. Small Nucleus Accumbens and Large Cerebral Ventricles in Infants and Toddlers Prior to Receiving Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cereb Cortex. 2022 03 04; 32(6):1200-1211. View Abstract
  28. A preliminary randomized, controlled trial of executive function training for children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2022 02; 26(2):346-360. View Abstract
  29. Modeling temporal dynamics of face processing in youth and adults. Soc Neurosci. 2021 08; 16(4):345-361. View Abstract
  30. Brief Report: Test-Retest Reliability of Cognitive, Affective, and Spontaneous Theory of Mind Tasks Among School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Apr; 52(4):1890-1895. View Abstract
  31. Brief Report: Examining the Links Between Language Processes and Working Memory Impairments in Toddlers and Preschoolers with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Apr; 52(4):1872-1880. View Abstract
  32. Inhibition in developmental disorders: A comparison of inhibition profiles between children with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and comorbid symptom presentation. Autism. 2021 01; 25(1):227-243. View Abstract
  33. Day-to-Day Test-Retest Reliability of EEG Profiles in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typical Development. Front Integr Neurosci. 2020; 14:21. View Abstract
  34. The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC-CT): Scientific Context, Study Design, and Progress Toward Biomarker Qualification. Front Integr Neurosci. 2020; 14:16. View Abstract
  35. Biomarker Acquisition and Quality Control for Multi-Site Studies: The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials. Front Integr Neurosci. 2019; 13:71. View Abstract
  36. Neural dynamics of executive function in cognitively able kindergarteners with autism spectrum disorders as predictors of concurrent academic achievement. Autism. 2020 04; 24(3):780-794. View Abstract
  37. Test-retest reliability of the N2 event-related potential in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 02; 131(2):406-413. View Abstract
  38. Relations between caregiver-report of sleep and executive function problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Res Dev Disabil. 2019 Nov; 94:103464. View Abstract
  39. Autism and Adult Sex Education: A Literature Review using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Framework. Sex Disabil. 2019 Sep; 37(3):339-351. View Abstract
  40. Methodological considerations in the use of Noldus EthoVision XT video tracking of children with autism in multi-site studies. Biol Psychol. 2019 09; 146:107712. View Abstract
  41. Variation in restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests relates to inhibitory control and shifting in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2019 07; 23(5):1262-1272. View Abstract
  42. Measuring Individual Differences in Cognitive, Affective, and Spontaneous Theory of Mind Among School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Nov; 48(11):3945-3957. View Abstract
  43. Exploring the heterogeneity of neural social indices for genetically distinct etiologies of autism. J Neurodev Disord. 2017; 9:24. View Abstract
  44. Neural and behavioral suppression of interfering flankers by children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychologia. 2016 Dec; 93(Pt A):251-261. View Abstract
  45. Early event-related potentials to emotional faces differ for adults with autism spectrum disorder and by serotonin transporter genotype. Clin Neurophysiol. 2016 06; 127(6):2436-47. View Abstract
  46. Face perception and learning in autism spectrum disorders. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove). 2017 05; 70(5):970-986. View Abstract
  47. Executive function predicts the development of play skills for verbal preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res. 2016 12; 9(12):1274-1284. View Abstract
  48. Face processing among twins with and without autism: social correlates and twin concordance. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2016 Jan; 11(1):44-54. View Abstract
  49. A computer-generated animated face stimulus set for psychophysiological research. Behav Res Methods. 2015 Jun; 47(2):562-70. View Abstract
  50. Erratum to: A computer-generated animated face stimulus set for psychophysiological research. Behav Res Methods. 2015 Jun; 47(2):571. View Abstract
  51. Reduced delay of gratification and effortful control among young children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2015 Jan; 19(1):91-101. View Abstract
  52. Performance on the dimensional change card sort and backward digit span by young children with autism without intellectual disability. Child Neuropsychol. 2014; 20(6):692-9. View Abstract
  53. The nucleus accumbens is involved in both the pursuit of social reward and the avoidance of social punishment. Neuropsychologia. 2013 Sep; 51(11):2062-9. View Abstract
  54. Reward-based decision making and electrodermal responding by young children with autism spectrum disorders during a gambling task. Autism Res. 2013 Dec; 6(6):494-505. View Abstract
  55. Early behavioral intervention is associated with normalized brain activity in young children with autism. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012 Nov; 51(11):1150-9. View Abstract
  56. The responsiveness of biological motion processing areas to selective attention towards goals. Neuroimage. 2012 Oct 15; 63(1):581-90. View Abstract
  57. The effects of face expertise training on the behavioral performance and brain activity of adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Feb; 42(2):278-93. View Abstract
  58. Neurocognitive predictors of social and communicative developmental trajectories in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2008 Nov; 14(6):956-66. View Abstract
  59. Brief report: face configuration accuracy and processing speed among adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009 Mar; 39(3):532-8. View Abstract
  60. Becoming a face expert: a computerized face-training program for high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Dev Neuropsychol. 2008; 33(1):1-24. View Abstract
  61. Amygdalar volume and behavioral development in autism. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006 Jun; 63(6):686-93. View Abstract
  62. Perceiving facial and vocal expressions of emotion in individuals with Williams syndrome. Am J Ment Retard. 2006 Jan; 111(1):15-26. View Abstract
  63. Social-perceptual abilities in adolescents and adults with Williams syndrome. Cogn Neuropsychol. 2006; 23(2):338-49. View Abstract
  64. Neurocognitive and electrophysiological evidence of altered face processing in parents of children with autism: implications for a model of abnormal development of social brain circuitry in autism. Dev Psychopathol. 2005; 17(3):679-97. View Abstract
  65. People with Williams syndrome process faces holistically. Cognition. 2003 Aug; 89(1):11-24. View Abstract

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Phone: 617-919-4486
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