Tracking language growth for people who use picture-based communication devices
Measuring Aided Language Development
This project is developing reliable tools to measure how children and adults who use picture symbols and communication devices learn and use language.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Central Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301927 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would help create and test language measures designed specifically for people who use picture symbols or AAC devices, rather than relying on spoken-language tests. Researchers will collect samples of aided communication from children and adults, score and analyze those productions, and refine items to make sure they truly reflect language ability. They will compare new measures with existing approaches to confirm accuracy and fairness across ages and diagnoses. The goal is to produce validated tools clinicians can use to diagnose needs and track progress over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adults who use picture-based AAC systems or speech-generating devices, including individuals with cerebral palsy or other communication disorders, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who communicate only with natural spoken language or whose conditions do not affect aided communication are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians and families would have accurate, trusted tools to track communication progress and guide therapy for people who use AAC.
How similar studies have performed: Many validated measures exist for spoken language, but validated, psychometrically sound measures tailored to aided communicators are largely absent, so this work is novel and fills a clear gap.
Where this research is happening
Orlando, United States
- University of Central Florida — Orlando, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kent-Walsh, Jennifer — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Kent-Walsh, Jennifer
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.