Improving language skills in children with developmental language disorder through parent and clinician interventions
Recasting and Book Reading Under Ideal (Dose-controlled) and Typical (Dose-variable) Conditions: The Role of Fidelity and Adherence in Production and Comprehension Outcomes for Children With DLD
This study is testing new ways for parents and clinicians to help young children with language difficulties improve their speaking skills in everyday situations.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 4 Years to 9 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Delaware Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Newark, Delaware and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05099328 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project focuses on children aged 4-9 diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), aiming to explore alternative treatment methods that can be implemented in typical settings. The study will assess the effectiveness of recast therapy and syntax stories delivered by parents or clinicians, while also identifying barriers to implementation. By examining the feasibility and acceptability of these interventions, the research seeks to enhance long-term language outcomes for children with DLD. The goal is to provide a more accessible treatment approach that can be integrated into everyday life.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 4-9 who are primarily English speaking and diagnosed with developmental language disorder.
Not a fit: Patients with a diagnosis of Autism or those who do not meet the specified language and hearing criteria may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective and accessible language interventions for children with developmental language disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using parent coaching and alternative delivery methods for language interventions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Child with DLD * Age: 4-9 years old * Primarily English speaking: as documented by 20% or less exposure to another language, per parent report on the MAPLE * Diagnosed with DLD as documented by standard score below 85 on the Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation - Norm Referenced (DELV-NR) composite, a dialect neutral assessment (Seymour, Roeper, de Villiers, \& De Villiers, 2005). * Nonverbal Intelligence Quotient (IQ) within typical range as documented by a t-score at or above 35 on the Developmental Abilities Scale (DAS), matrices similarities subscale, (Elliott, 2007). * Hearing within the typical range: Pass screening at 25 dB for 1, 2, 4 kHz; OR scores within the typical range via SoundScouts hearing screening app; OR clear hearing assessment from an audiologist, otolaryngologist, medical doctor, or other professional. * No diagnosis of Autism: Cutoff score of 15 on the Social Communication Questionnaire, (Rutter, Bailey, \& Lord, 2003) * No diagnosis of significant sensory-motor concerns or significant psychiatric disorders per parent report * Able to benefit from treatment: * Score below 60% correct on experimenter developed elicited production probes of passives and object relative clauses * Producing simple transitive sentences (SVO) and mean length of utterance (MLU) of 2.5 on 100 utterance language sample Caregiver * Serves as the primary caregiver for an eligible child (may include grandparents, etc.) * Basic literacy skills per self-report * Willing to participate in caregiver training and caregiver-based treatments if child is assigned to that condition * Willing to participate in questionnaires and structured interviews during post-test
Where this trial is running
Newark, Delaware and 1 other locations
- University of Delaware — Newark, Delaware, United States (Recruiting)
- University of Maryland — College Park, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Amanda O Van Horne, PhD CCC-SLP
- Email: ajovh@udel.edu
- Phone: 3194710036
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.