DTTC-Connect: Helping kids with speech bring phrases to life
Official title: A randomized control trial of motor-based intervention for childhood apraxia of speech
Funded at New York University · NIH-11364832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A child-focused trial tests a new DTTC-based method, DTTC-Connect, to improve connected speech in kids with childhood apraxia of speech.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $671,970 |
| NIH project number | 2R01DC018581-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with childhood apraxia of speech who are working on improving connected speech.
✕Less likely to help
Children with CAS who may not respond to this specific DTTC-Connect adaptation or who require different therapy approaches may not experience the same benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH grant funds a phase II randomized trial to see if DTTC-Connect can help children with childhood apraxia of speech say longer phrases more clearly, not just individual words. The study will compare the new DTTC-Connect approach to standard DTTC in a controlled way and track changes in speech motor control during connected speech. Researchers will measure phrase accuracy and how the mouth and throat move during natural speaking to understand the intervention’s impact on real-life communication. The goal is to help kids communicate more effectively in everyday conversations and participate more fully in school and social activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children with CAS could have clearer and more confident everyday communication.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed word-level gains and reduced movement variability, suggesting potential for broader improvements with phrase-level practice.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grigos, Maria Irene — New York University
- Study coordinator: Grigos, Maria Irene
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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.