As part of the Purdue Autism Network, Bridgette continues her research in the early development of children and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, fragile X syndrome) using integrated clinical, experimental, and psychophysiological methods. As a consultant on the grant entitled, Emergence and Stability of Autism in Fragile X Syndrome, Dr. Tonnsen leads the heart defined attention data and assists with the integration and collection of eye-tracking data, given her expertise in these methods.