# Electrophysiological correlates of language processing in minimally verbal children with ASD: Elucidating pathways to language impairment

> **NIH NIH R21** · CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES · 2022 · $169,500

## Abstract

Project Abstract
ASD is estimated to occur in 1.6% of children (CDC, 2014), and approximately 30% of the ASD population
remains minimally verbal (MV). This MV portion of the population experiences considerable clinical impairment
and requires intensive intervention that often fails to achieve improved outcomes. Relatively little research
focuses on understanding why these children fail to gain language. As a psychologist and translational
researcher, my work focuses on identifying the mechanisms underlying language impairment in ASD, in order
to better predict developmental trajectories and individualize intervention. The proposed study will use EEG to
(1) measure multiple facets of language processing in order to assess causes of language impairment in MV
children with ASD; (2) analyze spectral components of the EEG signal in order to reveal possible biological
mechanisms influencing language development in ASD; and (3) use advanced biostatistics methods
specifically developed for analyzing rich, multifaceted datasets such as what is yielded by EEG recording. This
level of rigorous inference will be instrumental in discovering neurobiological traits that underlie heterogeneity
in ASD. Very few electrophysiology studies have included MV participants, likely due to the difficulties inherent
in working with that population. Findings from this study will form the foundation for my application for an NIH
R01 award, focused on discovering how these EEG biomarkers of language impairment in children with ASD
are related to developmental trajectories and progress in intervention. My long-term academic career will
target this underserved population, improving outcomes by understanding neural mechanisms underlying
language impairment and contributing to the development of mechanism-based, individualized intervention
strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10145643
- **Project number:** 7R21DC017834-02
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Charlotte Alcestis DiStefano
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $169,500
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10145643

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10145643, Electrophysiological correlates of language processing in minimally verbal children with ASD: Elucidating pathways to language impairment (7R21DC017834-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10145643. Licensed CC0.

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