Speech, Language, and Motor Skills in Children at Elevated Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder

In this study, we are exploring how early motor abilities—especially those involved in speech—relate to language development in young children. This project includes children with and without an elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder. Using speech recordings, acoustic analyses, and standardized assessments of both language and motor skills, we aim to identify which early movement patterns (ranging from walking skills to the precision of speech sounds) are linked to later language outcomes. By comparing across groups, this research seeks to improve early prediction of language difficulties and support timely, targeted interventions for children at risk for language impairments.

Speech Kinematics and Language Development in Late Talkers

In this study, we are studying how early speech movements relate to children’s language development. Although children with early language delays are at increased risk for later communication challenges, it remains difficult to predict which children will catch up and who will continue to struggle. This project uses facial motion tracking and acoustic analyses of children’s speech, along with standard language and motor assessments, to understand how the precision and coordination of speech movements relate to expressive language skills in toddlers who are late to talk. By comparing these skills to those of typically developing peers, the study aims to reveal whether measures of motor function can provide unique insights into language development beyond what traditional assessments offer, ultimately helping clinicians better identify and support children at risk for persistent language difficulties.