We've added some wonderful handouts and brochuresabout childhood apraxia of speech. Click here to have a look!
The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) The mission: To strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia, so that each child has their best opportunity to develop speech
CASANA has made it a policy to share information through its Apraxia-KIDSSM resources for legitimate research projects that are currently recruiting subjects. In order to be accepted, the projects must be related to apraxia or related research and must meet certain requirements established by CASANA's Professional Advisory Board. The most important requirement is that all projects shared through Apraxia-KIDSSM resources must provide evidence of approval from an Institutional Review Board or Human Subjects Oversight Board. These entities assure that research projects are ethical and are safe.
**We share this as information only. Parents and families must use their best judgement regarding participating in research projects.
Motor Speech Characteristics of Children with and without Autism The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Richa Deshmukh, Ph.D. Candidate
Rebecca McCauley, Ph.D.
Dear Parents,
I am a Doctoral Candidate in the department of Speech and Hearing Science at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. In collaboration with my advisor, Dr Rebecca J. McCauley, Ph.D., Professor, Ohio State University, I am conducting a study to see if children with autism have speech problems in addition to language problems. Through this study we aim to compare the speech of children with autism to that of typically developing children and to that of children with speech problems to see if there is a difference in how they plan and use movements for speech. We are currently recruiting participants for this study.
Children who:
Are developing typically or have a diagnosis of autism and/or speech disorders
No history of hearing impairment
Are between the ages of 4 and 10 years of age
Use English as the main language at home
Can imitate at least 5 gestures (such as waving goodbye)
Can say at least 20 words
Can understand complex directions (such as, go to your room and get your book) are eligible
Participation involves bringing your child to Pressey Hall at OSU for one 2 hour visit.
Your child will be audio and video recorded while he or she is given a series of speech and language tests in which the child names pictures, repeats words, and has a short conversation with us.
Participants will receive:
A cool t-shirt saying, "Assistant Scientist"
Parents will be provided with parking and reimbursement for travel expenses
Participants can also receive results of the speech and langauge testing
Appointments are available for weekdays, evenings and weekends.
For more information and to learn if your child is eligible, please email me at deshmukh.10@buckeyemail.osu.edu or call 614-208-4720.
We thank you in advance for your contribution to our study. Your time is greatly appreciated.
The Ohio State University, 1070, Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210
(This study has been approved by the Office of Responsible Research Practices of The Ohio State University, Protocal #2010E0359; phone: 614-688-8457)
Genetics of Speech Disorders Beate Peter, Ph.D.
University of Washington, Seattle WA
Overview of Study
My colleagues and I aim to identify genes that influence speech disorders including childhood apraxia of speech. There is evidence that speech disorders run in families, but the genetic causes are not yet well understood. To find genes that influence speech disorders, we will use a newly available approach to gene discovery, next-generation exome sequencing followed by bioinformatic gene filtering. We are looking for families with speech disorders. Besides at least one child age 5 years or older who currently has difficulty with her or his speech, we want to include parents and other relatives, for instance siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins of any age (minimum: 2 months). In each family, at least four members should have speech difficulties, either now or in the past. Each participant will undergo speech, language, verbal/nonverbal processing, and movement tests and donate a small amount of DNA. Results will contribute to our knowledge of the biological causes of speech difficulties and help identify children at risk for speech difficulties so that they can benefit from early intervention.
This study is funded with an NIH R03 research grant and was reviewed and approved by the University of Washington Human Subjects Division. It will be conducted at the University of Washington in Seattle and other locations. In some cases where families wish to participate in the study but live too far away from Seattle, it may be possible to meet at a location more convenient for the family. We provide free parking and a reimbursement of $30.00 for each participant.
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria:
To identify genes associated with speech sound disorder (SSD), multigenerational families with evidence of a familial form of SSD are invited to participate. Families can self-refer to the study or be referred by a speech-language pathologist. The families will be recruited based on the following criteria:
The proband participant will be a child preschool age or older with a current diagnosis of moderate to severe SSD.
There should be a family history of SSD where the “ever affected” members should have current or past evidence of SSD.
Participants should be native speakers of American English. They should be free of other neurodevelopmental disorders of unknown genetic origin to control for other rare genetic variants that could confound exome sequencing results. Participants should have no other communication problems.
Hearing loss should be ruled out as associated with SSD.
Each family should have at least four members who currently have, or had in the past, a diagnosis of speech sound disorder including childhood apraxia of speech.
Benefit, if any, for subjects:
There are no direct benefits to the participants. However, the research has potential benefits to society in that knowledge about the genes that contribute to these complex disorders will increase our understanding of speech sound disorders, both in terms of behavioral manifestations and genetic substrates. This will lead to improved diagnostic methods, early identification of at-risk status, and new research questions about more tailored interventions and early intervention. For instance, individuals at risk for speech sound disorder may be identified before they experience communication difficulty and earlier intervention may result in faster and more complete compensation. Molecular findings will motivate new research investigating the biochemical pathways of the altered genes and possible pharmacogenetic applications. Therefore, the risks to participants are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits to others.
(Click here for information on this study in Utah)
[This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Washington, Human Subjects Division; Contact, Phone: 206-543-0096]
Biofeedback Training In Children with Persisting Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CASANA Funded)
Jonathan Preston, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Haskins Laboratories/Southern Connecticut University
Study title: Biofeedback training for children with persisting Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jonathan Preston, CCC-SLP
Affiliation: Haskins Laboratories (www.haskins.yale.edu) and Southern Connecticut State University (http://www.southernct.edu/communicationdisorders/ )
Overview of Study: The study involves providing free speech therapy to eligible participants. The intervention would use ultrasound (the same device used to image a fetus or kidney, etc.) to provide a real-time video image of the tongue. This image can be used to show the child his/her tongue configuration and then cue them to change the tongue position or shape to achieve target speech movements. It is particularly helpful for teaching "tongue sounds": /r, l, t, d, n, k, g/ and vowels.
Who is Eligible:
Children ages 9-14 with normal cognitive skills who have been diagnosed with CAS.
What is involved?
An initial evaluation at Haskins Laboratories, lasting approximately 2 hrs, would be used to determine eligibility for the study. Speech and language testing, as well as oral motor function testing, would be conducted and would be audio/video recorded. If the child meets pre-determined criteria, he or she would be invited to participate in the remainder of the study. (Family compensated $10/half hour for their time)
If the child is eligible and the family chooses to participate, another speech/language assessment session would be scheduled to determine treatment targets. (Family compensated $10/half hour)
An EEG (which measures electrical activity in the brain during speech) would be conducted at Haskins Laboratories in New Haven. (Family compensated $10/half hour).
Up to 18 treatment sessions using ultrasound would be provided at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in New Haven. (Free to the family).
After treatment, the child would participate in another assessment to measure progress, and an EEG. (Family compensated $10/half hour)
Who do I contact for more information: Dr. Jonathan Preston - Email: preston@haskins.yale.edu . Phone: 203-392-6525
This project is funded by the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America. It has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Southern Connecticut University, Protocol #11-122.
Treatment of Dyspraxia/ Childhood Apraxia of Speech Elizabeth Murray, Speech Pathologist, Dr. Tricia McCabe, Speech Pathologist, &
Associate Professor Kirrie Ballard
University of Sydney, Australia
We are looking for children who....
Have Dyspraxia or Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Are 4-12 years of age
Understand what is said to them
Have normal or adjusted hearing
Have normal or adjusted vision
Speak English
Have no other developmental diagnoses
What does the study involve?
An assessment of your child’s speech and language skills in Sydney, Australia
12 x 1 hour treatment sessions (4 times a week, over 3 weeks) in Sydney
Other assessments after treatment in Sydney
There is no cost or home practice involved. You will receive a brief report of your child’s assessment results and feedback, after the study is completed, will be posted on the web.
For more information or to express interest in participating, please contact:
[This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Sydney; Protocol No. 12924]
Impact of Locan Versus Global Prosodic Modulation Strategies on Speech Intelligibility of Children with Motor Speech Disorders Rupal Patel, Ph.D. & Kathryn Connaghan, Ph.D.
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Research Study in Greater Boston/New England Area
Looking for children with motor speech disorders (due to Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, TBI, etc.) to participate in study on children’s speech!
What are we studying? We are studying how changing certain aspects of both disordered and typical children’s speech (such as loudness, rate, and adding emphasis) affects how well children are understood. Why are we doing this research study?
Our goal is to learn how certain interventions may help children with speech disorders be more easily understood.
To be eligible for this study, a child should:
Be between 3 and 10 years old
Have a motor speech disorder (dysarthria or apraxia of speech)
Have normal hearing, and adequate (corrected) vision and cognition to complete tasks
Speak English as the primary language
What will the child do?
Be recorded as they imitate sentences presented on a computer
Where? At the child’s home or at our lab at Northeastern University
[This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Northeastern University, Human Subjects Division; Contact, Phone: 617-373-7570]
Genetics of Speech Disorders - UTAH Beate Peter, Ph.D., University of Washington
Kathy Chapman, Ph.D., University of Utah
Does your child have a diagnosis of speech disorder?
Your family may be a candidate for a research study at the University of Utah!
A family study at the University of Utah and University of Washington is looking for participants to find out how difficulties with learning to speak are inherited. Children with speech disorders may qualify for this study. We want to include the whole family in this study: the child, both biological parents, siblings, and, if available, grandparents and other relatives. Besides the child with a speech disorder, at least two other family members must have a speech disorder also, or have had one in the past. Everyone who participates will be asked to complete some or all of the following tasks: speech, language, reading, and reasoning tests, do hand movement tasks, and give a small amount of blood or saliva. Your family may qualify for this study if your child has a speech disorder without a known cause.
Who? Children with a speech disorder, currently between age 4 ½ years and 9 (at least 5 years old at the time of testing)
Where? University of Utah
When? Starting now; by appointment
How long? Approximately 3 – 4 hours
Pay? Reimbursement is $30.00 for each family member who participates, plus parking expenses.
Confidential? As in all studies conducted by the University of Utah and the University of Washington, your privacy will be protected.
Contact Kathy Chapman, Ph.D., Department of Communication Sciences , University of Utah, Phone (801) 587-9076, or e-mail Kathy.chapman@health.utah.edu. (We cannot assure confidentiality of any information sent by e-mail.)
Note:Click here to view information about the same study at the University of Washington.
[This study was approved by the Internal Review Board of the University of Utah. The information posted on this site is consistent with the research reviewed and approved by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board (IRB). However, the IRB has not reviewed all materialposted on this site. Contact the IRB if you have questions regarding your rights as a researchparticipant. Also contact the IRB if you have questions, complaint, or concerns which you do not feel youcan discuss with the investigator. The University of Utah IRB may be reached by phone at (801) 581-3655or by e-mail at irb@hsc.utah.edu ]
Apraxia-KIDSSM - the Internet's largest, most comprehensive and trusted website for information on childhood apraxia of speech (verbal dyspraxia, developmental apraxia of speech) and children's speech and language topics - including evaluation, speech therapy, research and other childhood communication topics. Invaluable for parents, speech language pathologists, teachers and all those who care about a child with apraxia.
This web site is a program of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association, the national organization representing the needs and interests of children affected by apraxia of speech. Address: 416 Lincoln Avenue 2nd Fl., Pittsburgh, PA 15209
