Understanding how children develop language skills in early grades
Official title: Measuring Language Comprehension Development in the Primary Grades
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10885207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better identify and support young children, ages 0-11, who have trouble with communication due to developmental language disorder, by using new group tests to track their language skills over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $643,301 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021177-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those in primary grades who may be experiencing difficulties with language comprehension.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not have any language comprehension issues or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developmental language disorder (DLD), a common condition affecting children's ability to communicate effectively. It aims to improve the identification of DLD in children aged 0-11 years, particularly in the primary grades, by using innovative group-administered assessments that measure language comprehension skills. The study will track language development over time through regular assessments in grades K-2, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds are included. By enhancing the understanding of language development, the research seeks to create better support systems for children struggling with language skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and better support for children with language disorders, improving their educational outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using group-administered assessments to evaluate language skills in educational settings, indicating that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adlof, Suzanne M. — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Adlof, Suzanne M.
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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.