Improving language analysis for preschool children

Improving the clinical utility of preschool language sample analysis

NIH-funded research Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10456071

This study is looking to make it easier for doctors and specialists to understand how young children, especially those aged one to five, are developing their language skills, so they can better help kids who might have language delays, no matter what their background is.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (College Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10456071 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the assessment of language skills in preschool-aged children, particularly those between one and five years old. It aims to improve the analysis of naturalistic language samples, which are crucial for identifying developmental disabilities. By utilizing a large dataset of over 1500 children's language samples, the project seeks to strengthen the reliability and validity of language sample analysis measures, ensuring they are applicable to diverse dialects and backgrounds. This will ultimately support clinicians in making more informed decisions regarding children's language development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are preschool children aged 1 to 5 years, particularly those who may exhibit signs of language development issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 5 years or do not have any concerns regarding language development may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate identification of language-related developmental disabilities in preschool children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that improving language assessment tools can significantly enhance the identification of developmental disabilities, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.

Where this research is happening

College Park, 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.
Conditions Child Development Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.