Investigating how speech and motor skills relate to language development in young children
Speech, Language, and Motor Skills in Late Talkers
This study is looking at how early movement skills might relate to talking in kids who are slow to start speaking, and it’s for parents of 2-year-olds who may be experiencing language delays, helping to find better ways to support their development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11068635 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the connection between early motor skills and language development in children, particularly those who are late talkers. By examining 24-month-old children with and without language delays, the study aims to identify how speech motor skills can predict future language outcomes. Researchers will use audio and video recordings during play sessions to analyze speech and motor skills, employing machine learning techniques to integrate and interpret the data collected. This approach seeks to improve early identification and intervention strategies for children facing language challenges.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 24 months who are either late talkers or developing typically.
Not a fit: Children who are older than 36 months or those without any language development concerns may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more effective interventions for children with language delays, enhancing their communication skills.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between motor skills and language development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University (Charles River Campus) — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maffei, Marc — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Maffei, Marc
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.