Understanding Communication in Adolescents with Down Syndrome

A biopsychosocial approach to the deep phenotyping of communicative participation in adolescents with Down syndrome

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · NIH-11158597

This project aims to better understand how adolescents with Down syndrome communicate in daily life, helping us find new ways to support them.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (TUCSON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11158597 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many adolescents with Down syndrome find it hard to be understood, which can make it difficult to participate fully in everyday activities and lead to feelings of loneliness or challenges finding work. Current support methods often don't fully consider the unique needs and experiences of teenagers with Down syndrome. This work will look closely at many different aspects of communication, including personal experiences and social factors, to create a more complete picture. Our goal is to develop more personalized and effective ways to help these young people connect with others.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related opportunities would be adolescents with Down syndrome who experience difficulties with communication and participation in daily activities.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have Down syndrome or are not adolescents may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, tailored interventions that significantly improve how adolescents with Down syndrome communicate and engage in their daily lives.

How similar studies have performed: While current interventions exist, this approach is innovative in its comprehensive focus on the adolescent's perspective and broader societal factors, moving beyond traditional impairment-focused methods.

Where this research is happening

TUCSON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.