Why girls with language problems get fewer school services than boys
Sex and Gender Differences in Language Impairment, Disability, and Service Receipt
['FUNDING_R01'] · FATHER FLANAGAN'S BOYS' HOME · NIH-11390946
This project looks at why girls with developmental language disorder often receive fewer school speech-language services than boys.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | FATHER FLANAGAN'S BOYS' HOME (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOYS TOWN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11390946 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If your child has language difficulties, this work looks at whether girls are less likely than boys to get services and why. The team will analyze school records for more than 1.6 million children to map who receives services, when, and what types. They will also do detailed language and temperament testing in about 132 children with developmental language disorder to see if girls' behavior masks needs or if their needs differ. The project compares whether gaps come from fewer needs, later needs, different services, or missed needs due to gendered expectations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are school-aged children with developmental language disorder (and their families), and children whose school records are part of the dataset.
Not a fit: Adults without a history of childhood language impairment or children whose language problems are not related to developmental language disorder may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help schools identify girls with language impairments earlier and make sure they receive appropriate services.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has documented service-rate differences and some temperament links, but combining nationwide school records with focused child testing is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
BOYS TOWN, UNITED STATES
- FATHER FLANAGAN'S BOYS' HOME — BOYS TOWN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MCGREGOR, KARLA — FATHER FLANAGAN'S BOYS' HOME
- Study coordinator: MCGREGOR, KARLA
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.