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

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2022 · $233,581

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Language impairments have a persistent, lifelong impact on social communication, academic performance,
and adaptive behaviors. Clinical groups impacted by language impairments include developmental language
disorder (DLD), fragile X syndrome (FXS), and Down syndrome (DS). 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. Individuals with FXS and DS have significant language impairments, but unlike DLD,
language impairment is part of a constellation of broader developmental issues, including intellectual disability.
Notably, there is a significant overlap in the language phenotype between DLD, FXS and DS, in terms of
grammatical production. This is striking given the difference in general cognitive abilities between the groups.
Importantly, nothing is known regarding areas of overlap and distinction in grammatical comprehension
between these disorders. Additionally, although FXS and DS have very different cognitive profiles from DLD in
terms of IQ, there are overlaps in other aspects of cognition, namely executive functions. This is particularly
interesting, given evidence of a relationship between executive functions and language skills during typical
development as well as in children with DLD, however, this work is nonexistent in FXS and DS. Comparative
studies between disorders with known (FXS and DS) and unknown (DLD) etiology have the potential to inform
both theory and clinical practice. Thus, through this supplement we will test two 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 functions in children with DLD and FXS
(parent R01) and DS (supplement) in a developmental framework. Through careful investigations we will be
able to determine the relationship between grammatical comprehension and production in addition to executive
function skills in DLD, FXS, DS and a language matched group of children with typical development. For this
supplement, we propose to recruit children with DS (n = 20). For the parent project, we are recruiting children
with DLD (n = 40), children with FXS (n = 40), and children with typical development (n = 60). All groups will be
matched on clause length to ensure similar language abilities. This supplement will include a combination of
standardized assessments, language samples, experimental tasks, and parent report measures. The proposed
study will yield key information regarding children’s comprehension of grammar, best assessment methods,
and critical information on the relationships between executive functions 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, FXS and DS in targeted interventi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10670596
- **Project number:** 3R01DC019092-02S1
- **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:** $233,581
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10670596

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10670596, The relationship between language and executive function in DLD and FXS over time (3R01DC019092-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10670596. Licensed CC0.

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