Investigating how bilingualism affects brain function and skills in children with autism
Official title: Longitudinal investigation of bilingualism, executive function, and brain organization in autism
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11133873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how growing up speaking two languages might help kids with autism think and solve problems better than those who only speak one language, and it hopes to share helpful tips for families and doctors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $691,353 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD116691-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11133873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-16 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who are raised in a bilingual environment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are monolingual or do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between bilingualism and executive function in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It aims to understand how being raised in a bilingual environment may influence cognitive abilities and brain organization during early adolescence. The study will involve assessing bilingual children with ASD to determine if they exhibit enhanced executive function compared to their monolingual peers. By focusing on this critical developmental period, the research seeks to provide insights that could inform better clinical practices and recommendations for families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting bilingual children with autism, enhancing their cognitive development and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence suggesting benefits of bilingualism in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, this specific investigation into bilingualism and executive function in ASD is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uddin, Lucina Qazi — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Uddin, Lucina Qazi
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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.