Understanding learning differences and ADHD in children
Differential Diagnosis in Learning Disabilities
This program aims to learn what causes learning disabilities and ADHD in children and how to tell different problems apart so families can get better support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145863 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This multisite center studies children’s genes, brain function, thinking skills, and behavior to understand why learning disabilities and ADHD often occur together. Researchers compare children with different learning challenges across sites and collect medical, psychological, and sometimes biological data. The center also trains clinicians, works with schools and families to reduce barriers to care, and shares results with communities and educators. Some parts of the work may include visits to the University of Colorado sites and opportunities for families to join surveys or testing sessions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents with learning difficulties (reading, math, language) or ADHD, and their families, are the ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People without learning or attention concerns, adults outside the child/adolescent age range, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment rather than research may not benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better-targeted educational and clinical support for children with learning disabilities and ADHD.
How similar studies have performed: Longstanding research centers like this have produced important insights linking genetics and brain differences to learning disabilities, though translating findings into routine clinical treatments is still ongoing.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Willcutt, Erik G — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Willcutt, Erik G
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 below.