How bilingualism affects language development in children with language disorders
Official title: Bilingual Children with DLD: A Neurodevelopmental Perspective
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10930122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how speaking two languages affects the language skills of children aged 0-11 who have developmental language disorders, to help find better ways to support kids who are learning in different languages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $565,338 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109224-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are bilingual children aged 0-11 who are diagnosed with developmental language disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are monolingual or do not have developmental language disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of bilingualism on language development in children aged 0-11 who have developmental language disorders (DLD). It aims to understand how the interaction between two languages can influence cognitive functions and language skills. Using advanced techniques like behavioral assessments and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging, the study will explore the relationship between bilingual experiences and brain activity related to language processing. The goal is to inform clinical approaches for supporting linguistically-diverse learners.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting bilingual children with language disorders, enhancing their language development and educational outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of bilingualism on language development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kovelman, Ioulia — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kovelman, Ioulia
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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.