Neuroimaging Reveals Treatment-related Changes in DLD
University of Cincinnati
Summary
Children with developmental language disorders (DLD, aka specific language impairment), a prevalent pediatric disorder, experience hallmark grammar deficits with life-long impacts on educational and occupational outcomes. While effective and early interventions can mitigate the impact of DLD, not enough is known about the neural basis of DLD in young children, yet is needed to inform the design of more individualized interventions. This project uses neuroimaging, along with behavioral methods, with the goal of better understanding the memory-language mechanisms that underlie grammar learning and impairment, while also considering their association to treatment-related changes in preschoolers with DLD.
Description
Although the impact of developmental language disorder (DLD), a prevalent preschool disorder, can be mitigated through evidence-based and early interventions, little is known about the neural basis of DLD, especially in young children, yet is useful in the design of efficacious treatments. While much of the evidence has been furnished by studies examining domain-specific processes (language network), domain-general processes relating memory and language also offer valuable testing ground and present the opportunity to advance the current knowledge base. The Procedural circuit Deficit Hypothesi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 4–5 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * ages 48-71 months * average nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ) * enrolled in participating center * typically developing (receptive and expressive language, social, articulation, other) * DLD for expressive grammar * typical oral motor function * typical social/pragmatics skills * average hearing thresholds * monolingual and native Standard English speakers * does not have any uncorrected vision challenges Exclusion Criteria: * receiving co-occurring speech-language or other intervention for communication * not MRI safe * special education placement of child based on…
Interventions
- BehavioralMy Sentence Builder
computer-assisted treatment program for expressive grammar
Locations (6)
- New Horizon ChildcareCincinati, Ohio
- Empower Learn Create INCCincinnati, Ohio
- Cincinnati Children's HospitalCincinnati, Ohio
- CWFF CHild Development CenterCincinnati, Ohio
- Wesley Education Center for Children and FamiliesCincinnati, Ohio
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio