Understanding how infants learn sounds during a critical period for language development
Official title: Neural mechanisms underlying the sensitive period for phonetic learning in infants at-risk for Developmental Language Disorder
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10898769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how babies, especially those who might have trouble with language later on, learn to recognize sounds from 6 to 12 months old, to find early signs that could help us support them better as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $435,182 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020419-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898769 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include infants aged 6 to 12 months who are at risk for developmental language disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 12 months or those without any risk factors for language disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms that influence how infants, particularly those at risk for developmental language disorders, learn phonetic sounds between the ages of 6 to 12 months. By examining how infants process speech during this sensitive period, the study aims to identify early markers that could indicate a risk for language disorders. The approach involves analyzing auditory brainstem responses and behavioral assessments to understand the changes in speech processing. This knowledge could lead to targeted early interventions for infants who may struggle with language development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention strategies for infants at risk of language disorders, improving their long-term language outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying critical periods for language learning, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into atypical language development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Tian — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Tian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Predicting Developmental Language Delay in Young Children
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Understanding how infants’ early speech becomes language skills and how it might signal language disorders
This grant studies how a baby’s brain learns sounds in the first year of life and whether early patterns can predict and prevent language disorders.
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Understanding short-term verbal memory in children and adults with Developmental Language Disorder
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Computer-assisted bilingual vocabulary help for kids with language disorder
A computer-assisted program helps monolingual clinicians teach bilingual Spanish-English vocabulary to emergent bilingual children with developmental language disorder.
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.