# The relationship between language and executive function in DLD and FXS over time

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2022 · $479,210

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Language impairments in children have a persistent, lifelong impact on social communication, academic
performance, and adaptive behaviors. Two clinical groups particularly impacted by language impairments
include developmental language disorder (DLD) and fragile X syndrome (FXS). DLD affects 7-13% of school-
age children, and is characterized by pervasive impairments in the grammatical system in the absence of an
intellectual disability. Fragile X is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and males with FXS
have significant language impairments. Notably, there is a significant overlap in the language phenotype
between DLD and FXS, in terms of grammatical production. This is striking given the difference in general
cognitive abilities. Importantly, nothing is known regarding areas of overlap and distinction in grammatical
comprehension between the two disorders. Additionally, although these two clinical groups have very different
cognitive profiles in terms of IQ, there are overlaps in other aspects of cognition, namely executive function.
This is particularly interesting, given evidence of a relationship between executive function and language skills
during typical development as well as in children with DLD, however, this work is nonexistent in FXS.
Comparative studies between disorders with known (FXS) and unknown (DLD) etiology have the potential to
inform both theory and clinical practice. Thus, the proposed study has three specific aims designed to
systematically investigate areas of overlap and distinction in terms of language with a focus on grammatical
production and comprehension and the association with executive function in children with DLD and FXS in a
developmental framework. Through careful investigations we will be able to determine the developmental
trajectories of grammatical comprehension and production in addition to EF skills in DLD, FXS, and a language
matched group of children with typical development. We will recruit children with DLD (n = 40), children with
FXS (n = 40), and children with typical development (n = 60). Children will be matched on clause length to
ensure similar language abilities. The proposed study will include a combination of standardized assessments,
language samples, experimental tasks, and parent report measures taken at two time points in order to track
growth and change during this critical period for grammatical development. The proposed study will yield key
information regarding children's comprehension of grammar, change over time, best assessment methods, and
critical information on the relationships between executive function and grammatical development. The data
collected in this study will be used to inform treatment studies designed to maximize both the effectiveness and
efficacy of language learning in DLD and FXS in targeted intervention studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10465139
- **Project number:** 5R01DC019092-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Jill Hoover
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $479,210
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10465139

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10465139, The relationship between language and executive function in DLD and FXS over time (5R01DC019092-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10465139. Licensed CC0.

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