Understanding how context shapes speech processing in autism
Official title: The Role of Context in the Neural Processing of Speech in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11367407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to learn how people with autism process speech differently in real-life listening situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $200,000 |
| NIH project number | 7R21DC022031-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who experience challenges in processing speech and social cues.
✕Less likely to help
This study may not directly benefit individuals without autism or those whose speech processing is typical.
What this research studies
This project explores how brain networks manage context during speech listening in autistic individuals. Researchers will use neural and behavioral measures to see how top-down expectations and local speech representations interact differently in autism. The goal is to identify brain mechanisms that contribute to difficulties interpreting speech in noisy or socially complex settings. Findings could point to new ways to support communication for people with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of why speech is hard to follow in real-world settings for people with autism, which could inform future therapies or assistive strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows context-dependent auditory processing differs in autism, but the exact mechanisms remain to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lau, Chung Yin Joseph — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Lau, Chung Yin Joseph
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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 how context affects speech processing in autism.
This study is looking at how people with autism understand speech, especially when there’s a lot of background noise, to help find better ways for them to communicate and connect with others.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
-
Paternal exposures and sperm epigenetics linked to autism in children
This project looks at how a father's environment and health before conception might influence autism risk in his children.
-
Anxiety Management for Young Children with Autism
A study at a major hospital will test a medication called buspirone in young children with autism to see if it helps reduce anxiety.
-
Sleep problems in autism and daily functioning
A large study at a major university is looking at how sleep problems affect children with autism and their daily lives.
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.