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GLOW: Gleaning Language trajectories and Outcomes in autistic toddlers using Wearable brain imaging

Award Number: R01DC023330
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/03/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2031

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GLOW: Gleaning Language trajectories and Outcomes in autistic toddlers using Wearable brain imaging - PROJECT SUMMARY During toddlerhood (18–36 months), children seamlessly progress from communicating with single words to using increasingly complex sentences, yet many autistic toddlers remain minimally verbal even after receiving years of early intervention services. Consequently, there is an urgent need to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these heterogeneous language profiles and trajectories during toddlerhood to inform the development of more personalized, neurobiologically informed early interventions (NIDCD Strategic Plan; Theme 3). However, relatively few studies have examined language-related brain-behavior dynamics during the 18–36 month window. This is partly because conventional neuroimaging requires stillness or sleep, which can be difficult for toddlers, both with and without autism. The interactive specialization model posits that broad, bilateral engagement of cortical temporal and frontal regions narrows into a more focal, left-lateralized temporal–frontal network as language proficiency improves over the first three years of life. Here, we test the central hypothesis that disruptions to this process may lead to persistent language delays in autism. This Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator R01 leverages High-Density Diffuse Optical Tomography (HD-DOT), a motion-tolerant, child- friendly imaging technique offering high-quality spatial resolution, to address these gaps. We will recruit 222 toddlers (autistic with language delay, autistic without language delay, and neurotypical; n=74/group) to complete HD-DOT imaging at four time points (18, 24, 30, 36 months) alongside a comprehensive battery of spoken language assessments. Aim 1 examines whether 18-month neural activation in bilateral temporal and frontal regions distinguishes autistic toddlers with and without language delay from neurotypical age and sex-match peers. Aim 2 characterizes longitudinal trajectories of neural activation from 18 to 36 months and examines whether distinct developmental trajectories predict subsequent spoken language outcomes. Aim 3 examines whether child active engagement and parent responsiveness measured at 24 and 30 months mediate the influence of 18-month neural activation patterns on 36-month spoken language abilities. By identifying the neural correlates and predictors of spoken language outcomes throughout toddlerhood, this work will lay the groundwork for the development of more personalized, neurobiologically informed interventions.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $818,502 )
2026	2026	HUGO W. MOSER RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT KENNEDY KRIEGER, INC.	707 N BROADWAY	BALTIMORE	MD	21205	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	2/3/2026	NEW	$818,502
2026	2026	HUGO W. MOSER RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT KENNEDY KRIEGER, INC.	707 N BROADWAY	BALTIMORE	MD	21205	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	1	6/24/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $818,502

Grand Total All Awards = $818,502

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GLOW: Gleaning Language trajectories and Outcomes in autistic toddlers using Wearable brain imaging

Award Number: R01DC023330

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/03/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2031

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