Helping children with language disorders understand complex sentences

Treating Complex Sentences in Children with DLD

NIH-funded research Ohio University Athens · NIH-11141884

This study is looking at how to help kids with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) understand and use complex sentences better, by trying out two different teaching methods to see which one works best for improving their language skills and school performance.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio University Athens NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Athens, United States)
Project IDNIH-11141884 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) can better comprehend and use complex sentences, which are increasingly present in their academic environments. The study will compare two innovative treatment approaches: one that teaches explicit syntactic rules and another that promotes implicit learning of these structures. By conducting randomized clinical trials, the research aims to determine which method is more effective in improving children's language skills and academic performance. The focus is on children aged 0-11 years who struggle with language comprehension due to DLD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder.

Not a fit: Children without language disorders or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the language skills and academic outcomes of children with Developmental Language Disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using varied treatment approaches for language disorders, suggesting potential success for this novel comparison.

Where this research is happening

Athens, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.