We are looking for children ages 23-25 months old and their caregivers to participate in a study called Language and Executive Function Acquisition in Preschoolers (or the LEAP study), sponsored by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina. Our goal is to learn about the relationship between language and executive functions in children. Executive functions are abilities that allow us to think flexibly, inhibit behavior, and plan and carry out goals.

 

Participants will first participate in a research-based language and cognitive assessment, and results of the language testing will be shared with you. If your child qualifies for the study, he or she will be invited to return for a second visit. You will then return in 6 months to complete another 2 visits with the same assessments. Visits will last about an hour and will take place at the Montgomery Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in the Close Hipp building at the University of South Carolina, at your home, or in our approved research van, depending on your preferences. Participants are compensated $20 per visit and children receive a toy at each visit for their participation.

 

Your child may be eligible to participate if he/she:

• is between 23-25 months of age

• speaks English as a primary language and does not speak another language fluently

• does not have diagnosed or suspected autism spectrum disorder

• does not have intellectual disability

• is not deaf or hard of hearing

• has normal or corrected-to-normal vision

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If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you to see if your child qualifies.