Improving early childhood developmental screening for children in low-income families.
Official title: Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Developmental Screening Through Item Response Theory and User-Centered Design
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-10927407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new computer tool to help quickly check how young children are developing, especially for families with limited resources, so that any delays can be spotted early and kids can get the support they need to thrive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $145,081 |
| NIH project number | 5K01HS029428-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young children, particularly those from low-income families and communities of color, who may be at risk for developmental delays.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not at risk for developmental delays or those who do not fall within the targeted demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance developmental screening for young children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, by creating a computer adaptive assessment tool. The tool will be designed with input from parents, clinicians, and community health workers to ensure it is culturally and contextually relevant. By addressing barriers such as limited provider time and access to services, the project seeks to improve early identification of developmental delays in children. This approach is expected to facilitate timely interventions that can positively impact children's long-term health and development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better early identification of developmental delays in children, ultimately improving their health and educational outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that culturally tailored screening tools can improve identification and intervention for developmental delays in underserved populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liljenquist, Kendra — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Liljenquist, Kendra
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.