UA Center for Youth Development and Intervention - CYDI

Game Night is coming! 🎲✨
Join the UA ASD Clinic for a fun-filled evening of games, laughter, and connection for autistic teens (ages 13–high school).

📅 May 5, 2026
⏰ 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 UA ASD Clinic, Tuscaloosa

Dinner is provided! 🍽️
Scan the QR code to register—they'd love to see you there!

🌟The Relationships in Adolescent Development Lab at the University of Alabama is ACTIVELY RECRUITING teens to participate in a study on friendships, family, and wellbeing. 🌟

We are looking for teens between 12 and 15 years old to participate in a study with a good or best friend.

Both teens can earn up to $105 for the initial visit. Parents can receive up to $80 for filling out surveys too.

📌To learn more, scan the QR code below or email us ([email protected])!

THIS SURVEY IS BACK OPEN!!! 🎉

📣 Participants Needed for Autism Research in Alabama!

The Center for Youth Development and Intervention is looking for parents and caregivers of autistic children (ages 8–18) living in Alabama to take part in a research study on support and services.

🕒 Takes about 30 minutes
🎁 Receive a $10 e-gift card upon completion
🔒 Confidential & voluntary

Your voice can help improve support systems for families across the state!

👉 Take the survey: https://redcap.link/2rz4pdzu

📧 Questions? Email [email protected]

🎉 Celebrating Big Achievements! 🎉

We are excited to recognize Anna Barkey for her incredible accomplishments! She has been named the 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Major in Psychology Award recipient 🏆 and has also been awarded the Norman Ellis Scholarship.

These honors highlight Anna’s dedication, hard work, and passion for psychology. We are so proud of all she has achieved and can’t wait to see what she does next! 💫

👏 Join us in congratulating Anna on this well-deserved recognition!

Anna (right) is pictured with Dr. Susan White, Director of CYDI

We are excited to welcome a new CYDI Affiliate!

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Lacey Jenkins, Assistant Professor of Social Work, to the Center for Youth Development and Intervention.

Dr. Jenkins’ research focuses on child maltreatment prevention, child welfare, and community-based interventions. Her work is dedicated to strengthening systems of care and improving outcomes for children and families—closely aligning with CYDI’s mission to support youth through impactful research and community engagement.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Jenkins join our growing network and look forward to the meaningful contributions she will make through research, collaboration, and service.

Learn more about her work: https://socialwork.ua.edu/2025/08/14/lacey-jenkins/

💙 April is Autism Acceptance Month, and we’re walking to celebrate, support, and raise awareness for the autism community across Alabama!

Join Autism Support of Alabama at one of our statewide Walks for Autism to help fund critical programs and services.

👉 Register today: https://givebutter.com/AutismWalk2026

📍 CYDI will be in attendance at the Tuscaloosa Walk at The University of Alabama Quad on April 12th! Stop by our resource table to learn more about the research opportunities we offer.

We are excited to welcome a new CYDI Affiliate!

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Oh-Ryeong Ha, Associate Professor of Psychology, to the Center for Youth Development and Intervention.

Dr. Ha’s research explores infant and child cognitive and social development, health decision-making and self-control, and innovative approaches to promoting healthy behaviors, including media-based interventions. Her work also examines prosocial decision-making and stress-related eating in young adults—bringing a well-rounded and impactful perspective to CYDI’s mission.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Ha join our growing network and look forward to the meaningful contributions she will make through research, collaboration, and community engagement.

Learn more about her work: https://psychology.ua.edu/people/oh-ryeong-ha/

We are excited to welcome a new CYDI Affiliate!

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kimberly Tomeny, Assistant Professor of Human Development & Family Studies and director of the Early Childhood Collaboration Lab, to the Center for Youth Development and Intervention.

Dr. Tomeny’s research focuses on developing collaborative systems of support for young children with and without disabilities, as well as their families and the early childhood professionals who serve them. Her work aligns closely with CYDI’s mission to strengthen communities and improve outcomes for children and families through impactful, evidence-based research.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Tomeny join our network and look forward to the meaningful contributions she will bring to CYDI!

Learn more about her work: https://sites.ua.edu/ktomeny/

🎧 New Podcast Episode from Autism Weekly

We’re excited to share a recent episode of Autism Weekly featuring Dr. Susan White, who discusses managing intense emotions and anxiety in autistic youth and young adults.

In this episode, Dr. White shares practical insights and strategies that can be helpful for both families and clinicians supporting autistic individuals experiencing anxiety and emotional challenges.

🔹 Listen here:
https://autismweekly.podbean.com/e/managing-intense-emotions-and-anxiety-with-dr-susan-white-227/

The episode is also available on major listening platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more just search Autism Weekly.

🎥 You can also watch the conversation on YouTube:
Managing Intense Emotions and Anxiety | with Dr. Susan White

Thank you to Autism Weekly for highlighting this important conversation.

Managing Intense Emotions and Anxiety | with Dr. Susan White #227 | Autism Weekly This week, we’re joined by Dr. Susan Williams White, a renowned clinical psychologist, researcher, and advocate for evidence-based interventions. Dr. White’s work focuses on helping individuals manage intense emotions and anxiety, with a special emphasis on youth with autism. Download latest epi...

🎉 Big congratulations to Anna Barkey and Megan Noftsger!

Anna Barkey and Megan Noftsger were selected as Emerging Leaders in Autism Scholarship recipients by the Alabama Autism Providers Network. They were recognized for this achievement at the network’s annual conference last week.

We are proud to celebrate these CYDI undergraduate students for their dedication to advancing autism research, support, and services in our community. Their leadership and passion are helping shape a brighter future for individuals with autism and their families.👏

Pictured left both Anna Barkey and Megan Noftsger with Dr. Susan White (Director of CYDI).

We are interested in how your children recognize others’ emotions!

We are looking for kiddos aged 6-11 years old and their parents to participate in a paid research study at the University of Alabama’s Center for Youth Development and Intervention.

If you are interested, please scan the QR code to fill out our survey, or call (205)-737-4610.

UA Center for Youth Development and Intervention - CYDI The Center for Youth Development and Intervention is a research center dedicated to the promotion of research in psychology at The University of Alabama. ​