Finding language and reading difficulties in bilingual children
Diagnostic identification of language and reading disorders among bilingual learners
This project works to create better ways to identify language and reading challenges in young children who speak both Spanish and English.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11196742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
A common issue is that bilingual students are often incorrectly identified as having language and reading disorders, leading to serious long-term problems. This project aims to develop accurate and practical ways to spot these disorders early in Spanish-English bilingual children from kindergarten to second grade. Researchers will regularly check children's decoding and language understanding in both Spanish and English. They will combine information from standard assessments, learning-based activities, and reports from parents and teachers to find reliable signs of these disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be Spanish-English bilingual children in kindergarten through second grade who may be experiencing difficulties with language or reading.
Not a fit: Children who are not bilingual or are outside the kindergarten to second-grade age range would likely not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help ensure bilingual children receive the correct support for language and reading disorders much earlier, preventing long-term academic struggles.
How similar studies have performed: While the need for accurate bilingual assessment is recognized, this project aims to develop new, empirically-derived protocols, building upon existing knowledge but offering a novel integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fitton, Lisa — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Fitton, Lisa
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 below.