Research by Dr. Yerys focuses on the development of cognitive and neural mechanisms that support adaptive behavior in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

This includes cognitive control, attention, and reward-based learning. His research seeks to understand how these mechanisms develop differently in neurodevelopmental disorders, how it relates to psychiatric symptoms, and one's daily functioning. He is also applying this knowledge to new treatments.

Among his notable career accomplishments, Dr. Yerys demonstrated that:

• Co-occurring ADHD symptoms in children with ASD lead to more severe cognitive impairments and worse functioning in day-to-day life
• Repetitive behaviors are related to impaired function of cognitive control at the behavior and brain level
• The reward system contributes to both social and repetitive behavior symptoms in ASD