[8] She also collaborated with Edward Zigler on the Yale Child Welfare Research Program, an early intervention study aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged families.
Rescorla took a different approach from previous screening language tools by asking parents to complete a quick and efficient survey, rather than requiring input from a physician or other professional.
Rescorla had strong confidence that a parent-report instrument was the best means for acquiring fast, authentic, and valid information about their child's language development.
[19] Rescorla conducted a 15-year longitudinal research study of the development of late speaking toddlers, focusing on their language and literacy skills from ages 2 to 17 years.
[20] However, at the ages of 9, 13, and 17 years, the late talkers scored significantly lower on tests of vocabulary, grammar, verbal memory, and reading comprehension when compared to peers who were matched on socioeconomic status and nonverbal ability.
[21][22] In collaborative work with Thomas Achenbach, Rescorla has focused on valid assessment of behavioral and emotional problems in children growing up in various countries, using ASEBA scales.