Let's Know! for Speech Delay

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Arizona State University

Disqualifiers: English-Language Learner services

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 10 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a small-group intervention called "Let's Know!" designed to boost language skills in first graders struggling with oral language. The main goal is to determine if this approach can improve vocabulary, understanding of text structures, and reading comprehension. It targets children who score low on language skills or receive speech-language services at school, speak English well, and have no neurological impairments or hearing issues. Children with these characteristics might be a good fit for the study. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity for children to enhance their language skills through a specialized program.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for children with low oral language skills?

Research has shown that programs like "Let's Know!" have been successfully used in schools to improve language skills. These programs aim to enhance vocabulary, understanding of text structure, and overall comprehension.

While specific safety information on "Let's Know!" is unavailable, similar language programs have not reported negative effects. These programs are generally safe and involve activities that improve language skills in a supportive setting.

The trial is labeled as "Not Applicable" for phase, indicating a focus on educational or behavioral methods rather than new drugs or medical treatments. This suggests minimal safety concerns, as these programs typically do not involve physical risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Let's Know! because it offers a unique approach to addressing speech delays in children. Unlike traditional therapies that often focus on repetitive speech exercises, Let's Know! is a multicomponent intervention designed to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills through engaging narrative and expository texts. This method not only targets core language development but also enhances inferencing and comprehension monitoring, making it a comprehensive tool for fostering communication skills. This holistic approach could potentially lead to more effective and lasting improvements in children's speech and language abilities.

What evidence suggests that the "Let's Know!" intervention is effective for improving language skills in children with low oral language skills?

Research has shown that the Let's Know! program, provided to participants in this trial, can enhance language skills in young children. Studies have found that this curriculum positively impacts language and comprehension skills in preschool and kindergarten students. The program emphasizes building vocabulary, understanding story structure, making logical guesses, and checking comprehension. This combination has successfully improved language skills in both typically developing children and those at risk for language issues. Based on these findings, first-grade students with low speaking skills might also benefit from this program. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for first grade students who struggle with oral language skills, which may affect their reading comprehension. It's designed to help those at risk for Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Acquired Language Disorder, or Speech Delay.

Inclusion Criteria

Receive a score of below than 5 on two items on the Student Language Scale (Nelson et al., 2018) or be receiving school speech-language services for language impairment

Proficient in English, per caregiver report

Have no other neurological impairments (e.g., intellectual disability, autism) per parent report

Exclusion Criteria

Cannot be enrolled in English-Language Learner services in the school.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 10-week small-group multi-component intervention to improve vocabulary, text structure knowledge, inferencing, and comprehension monitoring

10 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for language comprehension outcomes after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Let's Know!

Trial Overview

The study tests 'Let's Know!', a small-group intervention aimed at improving the spoken language abilities of children with low oral language skills to enhance their reading comprehension.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

2 units of a multicomponent intervention to improve vocabulary, text structure knowledge, inferencing, and comprehension monitoring within narrative and expository texts.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arizona State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

311

Recruited

109,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Speech motor control involves complex systems that manage how we plan and execute speech movements, which is crucial for understanding communication disorders like motor speech disorders.

There is ongoing debate about whether disorders such as apraxia of speech and stuttering should be viewed primarily through the lens of motor control or phonologic processes, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to treatment and understanding.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Research on speech motor control and its disorders: a review and prospective. Kent, RD.[2019]

Citations

1.

psycnet.apa.org

psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-49836-001

Impacts of the let's know! Curriculum on the language and ...

Impacts of the let's know! Curriculum on the language and comprehension-related skills of prekindergarten and kindergarten children.

2.

crane.osu.edu

crane.osu.edu/our-work/lets-know2/

Let's Know!2 - Crane CenterCrane Center

This five-year, NIH-funded project will examine the effect of a specific reading comprehension intervention aimed at helping elementary school students.

3.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/359809008_Impacts_of_the_let's_know_Curriculum_on_the_language_and_comprehension-related_skills_of_prekindergarten_and_kindergarten_children

Impacts of the Let's Know! Curriculum on the Language ...

We report a multistate experiment of a supplemental, whole-class, language-focused curriculum delivered in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms

4.

pubs.asha.org

pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2024_LSHSS-23-00171

Contextualized, Multicomponent Language Instruction

This clinical focus article summarizes the development and testing of a CLI entitled Supporting Knowledge in Language and Literacy (SKILL).

5.

ies.ed.gov

ies.ed.gov/use-work/awards/language-bases-reading-comprehension

The Language Bases of Reading Comprehension | IES

The primary purpose of this project is to increase fundamental understanding of the role of lower and higher level language skills in listening and reading ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4379460/

Early Intervention for Toddlers With Language Delays

Early interventions for toddlers with expressive and receptive language delays have not resulted in positive expressive language outcomes.

7.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-language-development-disorders-9-2024-bc6ac

Let's Know! for Speech Delay · Info for Participants

Trial Overview The study tests 'Let's Know!', a small-group intervention aimed at improving the spoken language abilities of children with low oral language ...

8.

uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org

uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/final-evidence-summary/speech-and-language-delay-and-disorders-in-children-age-5-and-younger-screening

Speech and Language Delay and Disorders in Children: ...

The focus of this review is routine screening for developmental (or “primary”) speech or language delay and disorders that are not caused by an injury or ...