Understanding how poverty affects language development in young children
Official title: SES-Related disparities in early language development and child risk for developmental language disorder (Phase 2)
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10981676 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how growing up in different family situations and facing poverty can affect how children learn to talk and read from birth to age 9, especially for those in low-income families, by following a group of kids over several years to see what challenges they face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,299,426 |
| NIH project number | 2R01DC018009-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981676 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children from low-income families, particularly those showing early signs of language development issues.
✕Less likely to help
Children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds or those without any language development concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early family environments and poverty influence language development in children from birth to age 9. By following a group of 311 children, the study aims to identify specific pathways that lead to developmental language disorders, particularly in low-income families. The research employs a longitudinal approach, tracking language and reading skills over several years to understand the impact of early adversities. It also examines the role of family stress and environmental factors in contributing to these language challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions and support for children at risk of language disorders due to socioeconomic factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing socioeconomic disparities can significantly improve developmental outcomes in children, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Justice, Laura M. — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Justice, Laura 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.