Word Learning in Children with Developmental Language Disorder

This study is looking at how children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), also called Specific Language Impairment, learn new words. Children with DLD often have trouble learning words, which can affect their school, social life, and future. This study will have children learn 8 new words (like names for plants and animals) from a storybook. Half of these words will be learned using "repeated spaced retrieval," where children practice recalling the words often. The other half will be learned using "repeated study," where they just review the words without recall practice. Researchers want to see if frequent recall helps children with DLD remember new words better. We will measure how accurately children recall these words right after learning, the next day, and one week later. This study is for children aged 48 to 71 months who have a significant language deficit, normal hearing, no neurological issues, and average nonverbal intelligence. The study is currently unclear about its recruitment status and plans to enroll 32 children.

Study design
This is an interventional study that plans to enroll 32 participants. It compares two behavioral interventions: repeated spaced retrieval and repeated study.
What's involved
Participants will learn new words from a storybook over two days. Their ability to recall these words will be tested right after learning, the next day, and one week later.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for one week after the learning period to assess word recall accuracy.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07048392

Retrieval-Based Word Learning in Developmental Language Disorder During Book Reading II

Recruiting
NAAges 48–71InterventionalBasic science
Purdue University
~32 participants
Updated 2025-07-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Retrieval-based word learning: Repeated Spaced Retrieval conditionRetrieval-based word learning: Repeated Study condition

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Word Form Recall Accuracy (number of words correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, Day 1
Measured over 5 minutes after end of first (Day 1) learning period
+6 more outcomes measured
Developmental Language Disorder and Language Impairment
Specific Language Impairment
Language Development

NCT07048392

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Purdue University

    West Lafayette, Indianastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Laurence B. Leonard, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Purdue University

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

a significant deficit in language ability (language test score below cutoff for best sensitivity/specificity) or documented age-appropriate language ability.
normal hearing.
no evidence of neurological damage or disease.
scores on tests of nonverbal intelligence above the intellectual disability range
not within Autistic range on Autism screening test
native English speaker (can be bilingual)

Exclusion

failed hearing screening
known neurological damage or disease
scores on tests of nonverbal intelligence below the intellectual disability range (standard score less than 75)
autism spectrum disorder
non-native English speaker
  • Word Form Recall Accuracy (number of words correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, Day 15 minutes after end of first (Day 1) learning period

    Child is asked to recall and say the word associated with each novel referent.

  • Word Form Recall Accuracy (number of words correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, Day 25 minutes after end of first (Day 2) learning period

    Child is asked to recall and say the word associated with each novel referent.

  • Word Form Recall Accuracy (number of words correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, One weekOne week after end of learning period

    Child is asked to recall and say the word associated with each novel referent.

  • Word Meaning Recall Accuracy (number of semantic associations correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, Day 15 minutes after end of first (Day 1) learning period

    Child is asked to recall and say semantic information associated with the novel referent.

  • Word Meaning Recall Accuracy (number of semantic associations correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, Day 25 minutes after end of first (Day 2) learning period

    Child is asked to recall and say semantic information associated with the novel referent.

  • Word Meaning Recall Accuracy (number of semantic associations correctly recalled) in Repeated Spaced Retrieval and Repeated Study conditions, one weekOne week after end of learning period

    Child is asked to recall and say semantic information associated with the novel referent.

  • Word recognition (number of words accurately identified) in repeated spaced retrieval and repeated study conditions.One week after end of learning period

    Upon hearing a novel word, the child is asked to indicate (by pointing) which picture among 4 options is referred to.