Using sound analysis to improve diagnosis of childhood speech disorders
Official title: Acoustic Measures in Diagnosis and Subtyping of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Funded at Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-11070644 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to better identify childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) by using sound measurements to help speech therapists understand how kids with this condition speak, so they can provide more effective support and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $36,736 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC021885-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070644 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 who exhibit signs of speech sound disorders, particularly those suspected of having childhood apraxia of speech.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have speech sound disorders or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a condition affecting children's ability to plan and produce speech sounds. It aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy by utilizing acoustic measures, which can provide objective data to complement traditional clinical assessments. By analyzing speech patterns and characteristics, the study seeks to create clearer diagnostic criteria that can help speech-language pathologists identify CAS more reliably. This could lead to more effective interventions tailored to the specific needs of children with this disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better-targeted therapies for children with childhood apraxia of speech.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using acoustic measures for diagnosing speech disorders, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Littlejohn, Meghan — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Littlejohn, Meghan
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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.