Auditory-perceptual speech features in preschoolers to differentiate CAS and dysarthria
Official title: Auditory-perceptual motor speech features in preschoolers: Norms and utility in differentiating childhood apraxia of speech and dysarthria
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11384853 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new project will help young children who have suspected motor speech disorders by identifying clear speech feature patterns to tell CAS from dysarthria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $779,688 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC022267-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384853 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children aged 3 to 6 with suspected CAS or dysarthria and a history suggesting motor speech disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Children without suspected motor speech disorders or those not needing differential diagnosis would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH-funded project will study preschool-age children to identify auditory-perceptual speech features that distinguish childhood apraxia of speech from dysarthria. Researchers will develop and validate a norm-referenced assessment protocol that clinicians can use in everyday practice. The study emphasizes clinically feasible methods so that speech-language pathologists can make earlier, more accurate diagnoses and connect children with appropriate treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians will have a validated tool to improve diagnostic accuracy and expedite access to targeted therapies for children with speech disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows diagnostic feature patterns can inform differential diagnosis, but a validated norm-referenced assessment for CAS versus dysarthria is not yet available.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allison, Kristen M. — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Allison, Kristen M.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.