Measuring Aided Language Development

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Apraxia of Speech; Speech and Language Disorder; Down Syndrome; Cerebral Palsy; Speech Sound Disorder; Speech Disorders in Children
• Interventions: Behavioral: AAC Generative Language Intervention

• Registration Number: NCT06512168
• Lead Sponsor: University of Central Florida

Brief Summary

The focus of the current study is to systematically investigate the psychometric properties of a range of aided language measures, which are based on the Graphic Symbol Utterance and Sentence Development Framework (Binger \& Kent-Walsh).

Detailed Description

Our central hypotheses are: (1) psychometrically sound measures can be established to capture growth within and across different dimensions of language acquisition, and (2) some elicitation contexts will be better than others at capturing aided language growth. Specific Aim 1 identifies valid measures to characterize aided language progress. Aim 1A uses existing data to document the psychometric properties of a range of aided language measures for preschoolers at the early stages of aided communication acquisition who have received 4 months of aided language intervention. Aim 1B analyzes language progression for high-performing aided communicators who will receive 24 months of intervention; this allows for investigation across all phases of early aided language acquisition. Specific Aim 2 identifies elicitation contexts that demonstrate the most productive aided language use. Achievement of the aims will result in measures that demonstrate strong reliability, differentiate growth for different populations, describe different dimensions of language growth, and are clinically feasible.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-07-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-07-16
• Study First Posted: 2024-07-22
• Study Start: 2025-04-01
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-13
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-16
• Primary Completion: 2028-03-31
• Study Completion: 2028-03-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Clinical Identification of Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy + Significant Speech Impairment
• Must Speak English as a Primary Language
• Must Be Able to Express At Least 25 Words (using any communication mode)
• Must Be Able to Accurately Select Picture Symbols on iPad Communication App with at Least 50% Accuracy
• Vision and Hearing within Functional Limits or Corrected to be within Functional Limits for Study Activities

Exclusion Criteria

• Clinical Diagnosis of Autism or Social Communication Disorder
• Primary Language Spoken is A Language Other than English

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Treatment Group	AAC Generative Language Intervention	AAC Generative Language Intervention

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Aided AAC Utterance Length	24 Months	Aided AAC Sentence Length Measured in Morphemes

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Central Florida - Innovative Center; 🇺🇸 Orlando, Florida, United States