DTTC-Connect: a new approach to help kids with childhood apraxia of speech communicate in phrases

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study tests DTTC-Connect, a structured adaptation of Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing designed to move children from word-level practice to phrase-level, connected speech. It will enroll about 68 children with CAS aged 3 years 6 months to 12 years 11 months, delivering intervention twice weekly for eight weeks. The study will measure changes in connected speech accuracy, intelligibility, and speech motor control, using a longitudinal design and 8-week follow-up. Previous DTTC work and pilot data inform the hypothesis that DTTC-Connect can yield lasting improvements in phrase production and communicative participation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The diagnosis will be made by two speech language pathologists (SLPs) who have extensive experience in the differential diagnosis of CAS.
2. Age between 3;6 and 12;11 years.
3. Normal structure of the oral-peripheral mechanism as determined by a motor speech examination using established lab protocol.
4. Participants must pass a hearing screening conducted at 20 dB SPL at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz.
5. Not receiving speech treatment elsewhere over the course of this study, although language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) treatment, or similar non-speech treatment, would be permitted.
6. Language Testing: Receptive Language Index standard score greater than or equal to 70 on the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals - Preschool 3rd edition (CELF-P3) for children 3;6-5;11 years of age, or the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals - 5th edition (CELF-5) for children 6;0-12;11 years of age.
7. Nonverbal Cognition Testing: Standard score greater than or equal to 70 on the Developmental Assessment of Young Children-2nd edition (DAYC-2) for children 3;6- 5;11 years of age, or the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales- 2nd edition, Remote (RIAS) for children 6;0-12;11 years old.
8. Can imitate 2-3 word phrases.
9. English as the primary language.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Primary dysarthria diagnosis, even if CAS is a secondary diagnosis.
2. Abnormal structure of the oral peripheral mechanism.
3. Fluency disorder, even if the child meets criteria for CAS.
4. Conductive or sensorineural hearing loss, even if the child meets criteria for CAS.
5. Does not imitate 2-3 word phrases.
6. English is not the primary language.

Where it's running

• Hofstra University
  Hempstead, New York, United States Recruiting
• New York
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Maria I. Grigos, PhD — New York University
• Study coordinator: Maria I Grigos, PhD
• Email: maria.grigos@nyu.edu
• Phone: 212.998.5230

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.