Improving Care for Children with Early Communication Challenges
Addressing Structural Disparities for Children with Early Communication Disorders (ASCEND)
This project aims to understand and fix the reasons why children from diverse backgrounds don't always get timely, high-quality care for communication disorders like autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11088308 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many young children face communication challenges, including autism spectrum disorder, and getting help early is very important for their future well-being. However, children from racial, ethnic, or linguistic minority groups, especially those in rural areas or experiencing poverty, often struggle to access this crucial care. This project will work with five U.S. states to look closely at how structural issues in the early intervention system (IDEA Part C) create these differences in care. Our goal is to find specific problems and develop solutions to make sure all children, particularly children of color aged 0-3, receive the support they need for communication disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project focuses on understanding systemic issues affecting children aged 0-3 with communication disorders, including autism, especially those from racial, ethnic, and/or linguistic minority populations.
Not a fit: Patients who are not children aged 0-3 or who do not experience communication disorders will not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to fairer and more effective early intervention services, ensuring all young children with communication disorders receive timely and high-quality care.
How similar studies have performed: While the existence of disparities is known, this project is novel in undertaking the first comprehensive multi-state analysis of structural racism and discrimination within the early intervention system for communication disorders.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zuckerman, Katharine Elizabeth — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Zuckerman, Katharine Elizabeth
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.