Families of children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), your participation has the power to make a real difference—not only for your own child, but for the PWS community at large. Below are two research studies currently recruiting through the Neurodevelopment Research Lab at Case Western Reserve University, led by Dr. Anastasia Dimitropoulos, that investigate innovative, play-based interventions for children with PWS.
A brief reminder: Why play matters in PWS
Many children with PWS face challenges in social cognition, emotional understanding, flexibility, and symbolic (“pretend”) play. Pretend or “as-if” play is not just fun: it supports a child’s ability to imagine, shift perspectives, regulate emotions, and interact socially. Research in PWS and related developmental disorders has shown that children with PWS often demonstrate reduced complexity, flexibility, or emotional richness in play compared to peers.
Dr. Dimitropoulos’s lab has been working to develop and refine remote, play-based interventions tailored to children with PWS and their caregivers. Their goal: to make such methods accessible, scalable, and effective for families.
Study 1: Assessing Creativity & Play in PWS
Dr. Dimitropoulos’s team is conducting a study to examine the long-term effects of play intervention programs for children with PWS. Participation in this study would involve a one-time virtual visit with your child. This visit is estimated to take approximately 60-90 minutes. Compensation is provided for participation.
Eligibility: This study is recruiting children and young adults with PWS ages 8-20 years and their parent / primary caregiver.
Study 2: Bringing PRETEND to You!
Dr. Dimitropolous and her team at Case Western have developed a program titled PRETEND (Play-based Remote Enrichment To ENhance Development), which shows evidence of improving play & related socioemotional skills for children with PWS. In this next phase, the team will train other adults and providers to deliver the PRETEND Program to increase access to this effective treatment program.
Eligibility: Families with a child who has PWS that is between 3 and 5 years old and a local childcare provider willing to train and administer the play intervention.
How to Get Involved & Next Steps
If you (or a local provider) are interested in learning more or seeing whether you qualify:
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Phone: 216-368-0112
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Laboratory website / study details: Dimitropoulos Lab – Case Western caslabs.case.edu+1
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Facebook: Dimitropoulos Lab Facebook
When you reach out, the team can help you check eligibility, schedule participation, and answer any questions.
If you’re part of the PWS community—whether a parent, caregiver, clinician, or educator—please consider sharing this blog or posting it to your networks (social media, support groups, newsletters). The more awareness, the more families can benefit—and the faster we can scale what works.
