The Human Behavior Assessment Unit (HBAU) is available to all University researchers who need support in testing or measuring human behavior. The unit staff consults with investigators and provides assistance in conducting assessments for both pilot and grant-funded projects.  We can also supply information about staff, assessments and services to be used in grant applications.  Our specific services are listed below.

Location

• The HBAU administrative offices are located in Helen Wood Hall, within the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Pediatrics. Assessments can be conducted in the Clinical Research Center or at the investigator’s research site.

Services

• Conduct assessments for pilot data collection or to demonstrate feasibility for grant applications.
• Highly trained staff are available to assist in administering and scoring assessments as appropriate for each test.
• Biobehavioral measures can be developed to coordinate behavioral with biological measures (e.g., heart rate and level of anxiety).
• New tools can be developed for specific project needs.

• Determine the best screening and assessment measures for grant applications, protocols, and pilot data collection.
• Identify appropriate study populations and controls groups.
• Address IRB and consent issues as related to the use of pediatric or vulnerable populations.
• Provide description of HBAU services and measures for grant applications.

• Administer specific tests, as appropriate.
• Provide inter-observer reliability checks of behavioral measures.
• Provide updates and in-services on new tests and tests that have been re-standardized or revised.
• Provide course work or class lectures related to neurobehavioral assessment.
• Provide clinical supervision to medical students and fellows, psychological interns, and post-doctoral fellows in the area of psychological and neurobehavioral assessment.

• Collaborate with the Animal Behavioral Measurement Unit (ABMU) to translate measures developed for nonhuman research into behavioral measures for human studies.
• Validate measures used to develop behavioral phenotypes and endophenotypes.