Understanding and treating speech difficulties in minimally verbal children with autism
Official title: Identifying and Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Minimally Verbal Children with Autism
Funded at Mgh Institute of Health Professions · NIH-10745931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Childhood Apraxia of Speech affects the way minimally verbal children with autism communicate, and it aims to find ways to help them speak more clearly and confidently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mgh Institute of Health Professions NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,976 |
| NIH project number | 5R00DC017490-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10745931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are minimally verbal children with autism, particularly those who may also have Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are verbal or do not have autism may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and speech difficulties in minimally verbal children with autism. It aims to identify how CAS affects speech production and intelligibility by comparing children with and without CAS. The study employs facial movement tracking to assess speech motor function and seeks to develop targeted interventions to improve communication skills in these children. By understanding the impact of CAS, the research hopes to enhance treatment strategies for better speech outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved speech therapy techniques that help minimally verbal children with autism communicate more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding and treating speech disorders in children, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Mgh Institute of Health Professions
Charlestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chenausky, Karen V — Mgh Institute of Health Professions
- Study coordinator: Chenausky, Karen V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how context shapes speech processing in autism
A study to learn how people with autism process speech differently in real-life listening situations.
-
Understanding How the Brain Processes Speech in Autism
This project explores how the brain of individuals with autism processes speech, especially in noisy places or when trying to understand social cues.
-
Understanding Speech in Autism
This project looks at how the brain controls speech in children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder to help us find better ways to support their communication.
-
Understanding and treating speech difficulties in minimally verbal children with autism
This study is looking at how some children with autism who have trouble speaking, especially those with a condition called Childhood Apraxia of Speech, move their mouths when they try to talk, so we can find better ways to help them communicate more easily.
-
Exploring how speech and song can help children with autism develop language skills
This study is looking at how babies, especially those with autism, can learn to talk better by paying attention to both speech and music, and it aims to find out how watching and listening to their caregivers can help improve their communication skills.
-
Understanding how the brain processes speech and sounds in autism
This study is looking at how the brains of adults with autism process sounds, like speech and music, compared to those without autism, to better understand language challenges and help create better support for communication skills.
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.