Current Studies
Help Us Understand Early Communication Development
Funded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
The Communication Development Lab at Washington State University is recruiting families with 11 to 13 month old infants for a study on early communication development. This study is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Kristina Johnson and her team at Northeastern University.
Why This Study Matters
The ways babies communicate at 12 months through sounds, gestures, eye gaze, and early words form the foundation for later language. Careful measurement of these early behaviors allows researchers to better understand communication patterns across development.
Your family’s participation contributes to research that supports children with diverse communication profiles and strengthens how communication is assessed in clinical settings.
Who Can Participate?
Your child may be eligible if they:
- Are 11 to 13 months old
- Were born full term
- Have no current developmental concerns
- Hear English as the primary language at home
If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, please email medicine.commdev@wsu.edu.
What Participation Looks Like
Participation includes:
- One in person visit at WSU Spokane, approximately 90 minutes
- Three Zoom sessions, including a setup call, a short play-based session with your child, and a parent interview
Activities are play based and include snack time, free play, bubbles, and a short video. These activities are designed to capture how your child communicates in everyday routines.
Time Commitment
Total time commitment is approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Compensation
Families receive $160 dollars in gift cards for completing the full study.
How to Sign Up
Complete the screening survey.
Questions?
Email medicine.commdev@wsu.edu or call/text 509-358-7859.