Improving speech treatment for bilingual children with speech sound disorders

Promoting System-Wide Change for Bilingual Children with Speech Sound Disorder

NIH-funded research University of Iowa · NIH-11040339

This study is looking for better ways to help Spanish-English bilingual kids with speech sound disorders improve their speech and school success, so they can get the same opportunities as other children.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Iowa NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Iowa City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11040339 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to address the inequitable access to effective treatment for Spanish-English bilingual children with speech sound disorders. It focuses on developing efficient treatment methods that can enhance speech development and academic achievement for these children, who often face barriers compared to their monolingual peers. The study will explore innovative approaches to teaching complex speech sounds, which may lead to broader improvements in overall speech capabilities. By targeting this underserved population, the research seeks to improve long-term outcomes and reduce the strain on educational and healthcare resources.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Spanish-English bilingual children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing speech sound disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are monolingual English speakers or do not have speech sound disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve speech development and academic success for bilingual children with speech sound disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in improving speech outcomes by teaching complex sounds to children, indicating potential for this approach with bilingual populations.

Where this research is happening

Iowa City, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.