How early word and meaning skills affect later language and learning
Lexico-semantic abilities in early language growth and delay
Following children from toddlerhood into the school years to learn whether early word and meaning skills link to later language, reading, and social-emotional outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11227850 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child would be followed from 18 months through the school years with repeated tests of word and meaning knowledge to map language growth over time. The team compares children who were late-talkers at 18 months with peers who were not, and adapts toddler measures so they work for school-age children. They connect these language growth paths to reading, other academic skills, and the child's social-emotional wellbeing and family impacts. Data come from standardized tests and parent information collected across multiple visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are toddlers or school-age children with a history of early expressive language delay, especially those recruited at 18 months including children classified as late-talkers.
Not a fit: Children or adults without early language concerns, or whose communication issues are primarily due to hearing loss or global intellectual disability, may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify children at higher risk for persistent language and reading problems earlier and point to more targeted supports.
How similar studies have performed: Longitudinal studies have previously linked early language delay to later academic and social challenges, but this project’s specific focus on lexico-semantic growth trajectories and direct comparison of late-talkers and peers is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borovsky, Arielle — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Borovsky, Arielle
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.