# Characterizing Language and Motor Development of Racially/Ethnically Diverse Infants and Toddlers with Down Syndrome

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · 2024 · $240,355

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Down Syndrome (DS) impacts approximately 1 in about 700 babies born in the United States. Language and
motor development in DS are significantly delayed in early childhood; however, little research has investigated
how language and motor skills interact and support each other. In response to the NIH INCLUDE Down
Syndrome Research Plan, the proposed study will address several gaps in our understanding of DS. First, we
will implement multiple methods, including technology, to measure language and motor development across
direct assessments, naturalistic measurements, parent reports, and free play observations. Second, we intend
to actively recruit and enroll over 60% of participants from racially/ethnically minoritized backgrounds. Finally,
we will collect longitudinal data to track measures that may be sensitive to developmental change. Using
multiple methods, we will track developmental trajectories of language and motor skills in infants with Down
Syndrome (DS) and typically developing infants over a 12-month period. The goal is to measure language,
communication, motor skills, and physical activity to better understand how these skills develop and interact
with each other over time. If funded, we will recruit 36 infants with DS (age 6 months – 18 months) and 36
typically developing (TD) infants (age 6 months – 18 months) and follow them for 12 months. We intend to
recruit at least 60% of our sample from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds (i.e., Hispanic/Latino, Black/African
American, Asian, Native American). Infants and their caregivers will complete standardized questionnaires and
assessments at study entry, then two more times, 6 months apart, for a total of three assessments in a 12-
month period of time. This research will provide critical data on the early development of racially/ethnically
diverse infants with DS to inform intervention strategies and supports.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10879968
- **Project number:** 1R21DC021818-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Megan Flores
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $240,355
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10879968

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10879968, Characterizing Language and Motor Development of Racially/Ethnically Diverse Infants and Toddlers with Down Syndrome (1R21DC021818-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10879968. Licensed CC0.

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