Identifying predictors of language outcomes in late talking toddlers
Official title: Leveraging a Unique Dataset to Identify Outcome Predictors in Late Talkers
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11031009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at toddlers who are late talkers to see how their language skills develop over time and whether they might face challenges like language disorders or autism, so we can better understand their needs and help them grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $437,479 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC022449-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031009 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are toddlers who are identified as late talkers, particularly those with expressive language delays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not late talkers or who do not exhibit any language delays may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the outcomes of toddlers who are late talkers, aiming to identify predictors that can indicate whether they will develop language disorders, autism, or achieve typical language development. The study utilizes a large dataset of 1,667 toddlers, including 552 late talkers, who have been uniformly assessed by licensed clinical psychologists. By analyzing their language and clinical characteristics at toddler and preschool ages, the research seeks to provide insights into the diverse trajectories of late talkers. This comprehensive approach aims to fill gaps in existing literature and improve understanding of late talking in early childhood.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify early indicators of language development outcomes, allowing for timely interventions for at-risk toddlers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has struggled with small sample sizes and inconsistent methodologies, making this large-scale, uniform approach a novel and potentially impactful advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pierce, Karen L — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Pierce, Karen L
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.