# Predictors of variable language development in autism

> **NIH NIH R21** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $489,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
Impairments in language development are common in children with autism and can have a profound influence
on their future developmental outcomes and quality of life. There is great variability in both language ability at
the time of autism diagnosis and in the rate of language gains during preschool years. Importantly, language
ability by early school age is one of the best predictors of future academic success, behavioral functioning, and
independence. However, our understanding of factors, including underlying neurobiological mechanisms,
impacting early language development in autism is limited, reducing our ability to develop effective
interventions and improve outcomes. Through harmonization of longitudinal and cross-sectional data collected
from 165 autistic children across four studies, the proposed secondary analysis aims to identify early EEG
indices of delays in language acquisition in ASD, and identify neurobiological, behavioral, and
environmental factors that prevent or promote further language gains. The goal of using this approach is
to identify specific mechanistic factors that impede language early language acquisition in autism. To do this
we will use neuroimaging data, language assessments, and natural language samples collected during early
development to (1) Characterize resting state electrophysiological differences in autistic children with and
without language impairment at 2–3 years of age; (2) Identify early neural markers that predict limited language
gains in ASD; and (3) Identify and characterize neurobiological, behavioral, and environmental factors that
predict greater language gains in 2-year-olds with ASD.
In alignment with the goals of the NIH Tackling Acquisition of Language in Kids (TALK) initiative, this proposal
leverages existing longitudinal and cross-sectional data sets to understand developmental trajectories of late
talking children with autism. Research activities include harmonization of EEG processing and behavioral
measures across multiple data sets, additional transcription and behavioral coding of parent-child interactions,
and re-consenting participants to make data available to NIH data repositories.
Results from this study will advance our understanding of neurodevelopmental pathways preventing or
promoting language development in autism and inform new methods for early detection and therapeutic
intervention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11021382
- **Project number:** 1R21DC022240-01
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Carol Lee Wilkinson
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $489,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11021382

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11021382, Predictors of variable language development in autism (1R21DC022240-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11021382. Licensed CC0.

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