Physical Activity & Developmental Disability Lab
Improving health and physical function for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
TCU’s Physical Activity & Developmental Disability Lab is well-equipped with a diverse range of measurement tools that allow for precise and objective assessments of physical activity and motor development.
The central research objective of this laboratory is to enhance our comprehension of the health and physical function in individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the utilization of these advanced measurement tools, the lab strives to uncover valuable insights that can lead to improvements in the overall well-being and physical abilities of this specific population.
Location
TCU Rickel Academic Wing
Room 256
Lab Members

Dr. Esposito’s research focuses on the health and develop mental disparities that exist among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, primarily those with Down syndrome. He has mentored nearly 100 undergraduate student research, overseeing their projects, three graduate students and two students' current research experiences with the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. His students have presented at professional conferences both domestically and internationally. He currently serves as a Health Promotions Clinical Director for Special Olympics Texas and as a Global Clinical Advisor for Special Olympics North America. He is also an Associate Editor for Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
Claire Thompson is a third-year medical student at the Burnett School of Medicine
at TCU. She is originally from Boston and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health
and human biology with honors from Brown University. Her current research focuses
on screening tools in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and how Autism presents in females.
Samuel Ayeni is a first-year master's student with a focus on nutrition, physical
activity and chronic disease. Samuel is from Osun, Nigeria and his current research
examines the predictors of overweight and obesity among Nigerian immigrants in the
United States. Samuel's goals are to obtain a doctorate degree and become a research
scientist in the field of nutrition and physical activity.
Eric Eaton is a senior movement science and psychology dual-degree candidate from
Euless, Texas. His senior research project is focused on the effectiveness of ankle-foot
orthotics in improving static balance for individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities (IDD). His professional goals include pursuing a doctor of physical therapy
degree to eventually practice clinically as a neurologic physical therapist.
Maddie is a second-year master’s student from Carmel, California. She is pursuing
an emphasis in motor control and plans on focusing her research on the development
of gross motor skills in children with intellectual disabilities through a gymnastics
intervention program. Her hope is to encourage kids to confidently engage in sport
by providing a program that helps them learn the necessary skills to participate with
their peers.

C.C. McCullough is a senior honors movement science major with a minor in general business at Texas Christian University. Her honors thesis investigates the impact of exergaming on balance in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After graduation, she plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT).
Rayner Ellington is a movement science major and plans to attend a doctor of occupational therapy program following her graduation in May 2025. From minoring in deaf and hard of cearing communication studies and child development, Rayner hopes to work with children with autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and nonverbal learning disabilities. Rayner is from Amarillo, Texas nd enjoys Pilates, spending time with friends and family, and watching college football.