Improving Care for Children with Early Communication Disorders
Addressing Structural Disparities for Children with Early Communication Disorders (ASCEND)
This project looks at how children from diverse backgrounds get care for communication disorders like autism, aiming to make sure all children receive timely and high-quality support.
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-11373107 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand why some children, especially those from racial, ethnic, or linguistic minority groups, or those living in rural areas, face challenges getting help for communication disorders. Our team will work with five U.S. states and various community partners to examine the early intervention system, which is the main way children aged 0-3 receive care. By identifying specific barriers and unfair practices, we hope to create new ways to improve health equity and ensure all children get the care they need.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on understanding the experiences of children aged 0-3 with communication disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, particularly those from racial, ethnic, and/or linguistic minority populations.
Not a fit: Patients who are not children with early communication disorders, or those outside the focus of early intervention systems, may 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 for children with communication disorders, improving their long-term health and well-being.
How similar studies have performed: While the issue of health disparities is well-known, this is the first comprehensive multi-state analysis specifically targeting 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.