Investigating how speech and motor skills relate to language development in young children
Official title: Speech, Language, and Motor Skills in Late Talkers
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11068635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | September 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $81,328 |
| NIH project number | 1F32DC022496-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11068635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 24 months who are either late talkers or developing typically.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are older than 36 months or those without any language development concerns may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maffei, Marc — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Maffei, Marc
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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.