Teaching methods for improving grammar in children with language disorders
Official title: The Effect of Prior Learning on Treatment of Morpheme Errors
Run by University of Arizona · NCT05953077 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing different teaching methods to see which one helps preschool children with language disorders learn grammar better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years to 6 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Arizona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tucson, Arizona) |
| Trial ID | NCT05953077 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are native English-speaking preschool children aged 4-6 with diagnosed developmental language disorder and specific language test scores indicating morpheme errors.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with other handicapping conditions or those enrolled in outside treatment may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This treatment study focuses on preschool children diagnosed with developmental language disorder, aiming to identify effective teaching methods for grammar acquisition. Participants will undergo assessments to evaluate their language skills and receive one-on-one behavioral treatment over six weeks. The study compares two approaches: teaching grammatical forms that children sometimes use versus those they rarely use, to determine which method enhances learning. Children's progress will be monitored throughout the treatment and for six weeks post-treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective teaching strategies for children with developmental language disorders, improving their grammar skills.
How similar studies have gone: While similar studies have explored language treatment methods, this specific approach of comparing teaching sequences is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Native English speaking * Passed a pure-tone hearing screening * 4-6 years of age * SPELT-P2 (language) test score of \< 87 * K-ABC-II Nonverbal Scale (cognition) test score of \>75 * Sufficient morpheme errors to serve as treatment and control targets * Articulations skills sufficient to judge use of language targets * Able to attend treatment daily Exclusion Criteria: * Parent report of other handicapping conditions * Clinical signs of other disorders * Enrolled in outside treatment
Where it's running
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University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Elena Plante, PhD
- Email: eplante@arizona.edu
- Phone: 520-621-5080
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.