Investigating why girls with language disorders receive less help than boys
Official title: Sex and Gender Differences in Language Impairment, Disability, and Service Receipt
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-10975138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether boys and girls with developmental language disorders get different amounts of help and why that might be, so we can improve support for all kids who need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $589,930 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC021428-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children diagnosed with developmental language disorders, particularly those aged 0-21, with a focus on understanding gender differences in service receipt.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have developmental language disorders or who are outside the age range of 0-21 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the differences in service receipt for developmental language disorders (DLD) between boys and girls. It will analyze existing data to understand whether girls are less likely to receive language services due to genuine differences in need or due to societal biases and inequities in access to care. The study will employ statistical models to compare the experiences of boys and girls, focusing on factors such as disability and service utilization. By identifying these disparities, the research seeks to inform better practices and policies for addressing language disorders in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to language services for girls, ensuring they receive the support they need.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated disparities in service receipt based on gender, suggesting that this investigation could build on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgregor, Karla — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Mcgregor, Karla
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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.