Early Executive Function Help for Young Children with Disabilities
Official title: Changing Developmental Trajectories through Early Executive Function Intervention in Early Childhood Education
Funded at Children's Research Institute · NIH-11354839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new classroom program helps preschoolers with disabilities build better executive skills to support their mental health and daily functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $479,144 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH144622-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11354839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Preschool-aged children with disabilities who have identified executive function challenges and are in or entering general preschool classrooms.
✕Less likely to help
Children without identified executive function challenges or those not in preschool may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant tests a novel program called Unstuck-EC that teachers can use in preschool to improve executive function in children with disabilities. The intervention is implemented in typical classrooms as part of regular activities, with a focus on early childhood settings. By improving skills like self-control, flexible thinking, and planning, the program aims to reduce later behavior and emotional challenges and support learning and development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to clearer routines, fewer behavioral escalations, and better school readiness for children with disabilities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior early EF programs have had mixed outcomes, and this study tests a targeted approach for children with disabilities.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Research Institute
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ratto, Allison — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ratto, Allison
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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.