ISU-Meridian recruiting children for language learning study; participants will receive gift cards

Idaho State University-Meridian researchers will provide $100 in gift cards to children who complete a study to help determine how youngsters with language learning difficulties process and understand language.

“The long-term goal is to improve language assessment and treatment strategies,” said project leader Diane Ogiela, an ISU-Meridian assistant professor and speech language pathologist. Her co-researcher is professor and speech language pathologist, Jeanne Johnson.

The two are looking for English-speaking children, ages 6 to 7 years, who have normal hearing and a history of language learning difficulties. That can include children with learning disabilities, delayed language development, or language impairments or disorders, said Ogiela.

Participants will receive two gift cards totaling $100 for participating in two research sessions which may last up to two hours each. The first session will include a language test and hearing screening, and the second will measure brain development. Participants will receive a $25 gift card to Target or Walmart for completing the first session, and a $75 gift card for the second.

Testing, which will be done at the ISU-Meridian Child Language Lab, 1311 E. Central Drive, will begin immediately. For more information, call the lab at (208) 373-1870 or email langlab@isu.edu.

The project is funded by a $68,000 grant from the Mountain West Clinical and Translational Research-Infrastructure Network.