Happy Family

Learning to talk and understand language is one of the most important milestones in every developing child’s life....

Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University are working together on the Biology of Language Study (BLS).  The BLS Study is examining language and reading problems in children and seeks to explore how a families genes may play a role in a child’s difficulties acquiring and understanding language.

Approximately 5 out of 100 children entering kindergarten will have delayed language development and meet the criteria for Specific Language Impairment (SLI).  This makes SLI more common than autism, childhood cancer, and Down Syndrome.  A better understanding of SLI and any associated biological factors could ultimately lead to earlier and more effective identification, prevention, and treatment of language and reading problems.

BLS is a unique opportunity to participate in innovative research and we are fortunate to be working with many Speech/Language professionals across Columbus and the state of Ohio.

Everyone in your family can help us understand language skills and how we can improve treatments for them over time. We are looking for families with children ages five and older who are receiving speech/language therapy OR are having problems learning to talk and understand others.

Participation is easy! If you are interested, have any questions, or would like more information, just email us with your contact information. A study representative will follow up with you shortly and will be happy to tell you more about the study.