How gestures from mothers and children affect word learning in Fragile X Syndrome

Impact of Child and Maternal Gestures on Word Learning in Fragile X Syndrome

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-10460130

This study is looking at how using gestures can help children with Fragile X Syndrome learn to talk better, by watching how they and their moms communicate with each other.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Champaign, United States)
Project IDNIH-10460130 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of gestures in helping children with Fragile X Syndrome learn to speak. It focuses on how both children and their mothers use gestures to communicate and how these gestures can support the learning of new words. By observing interactions between mothers and their children, the study aims to identify effective strategies that can enhance language development in children with this condition. The research will track the emergence of spoken language in relation to gesture use over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome who are in the early stages of language development.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have Fragile X Syndrome or are not in the early stages of language development may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication skills and language development strategies for children with Fragile X Syndrome.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been research on gesture use in communication, this specific approach linking maternal gestures to word learning in Fragile X Syndrome is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Champaign, 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 2026-06-13 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.