Acoustic variability in novel word learning among autistic and typically developing children aged 4 to 10 years
Identifiant : VarLoc 2
Date : June 2026 – September 2028
Participants :(1) Children aged 4 to 10 years – French-speaking – Without a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis.
(2)Children aged 4 to 10 years – French-speaking – With an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
Funding : ARC
Summary :
To better understand the conditions that facilitate novel word learning in children and improve our knowledge of language development. Between the two visits, your child will simply wear a small wristband during the night to monitor their sleep.These visits can take place either at the university or at your home (we travel to you), according to your preference, and are supervised by researchers trained to work with children.
More information: Read the detailed study information sheet ICI f you are the parent of a child with autism and ICI if you are the parent of a typically developing child.
Status : Recruitment ongoing SIf you would like your child to participate in this study, please register ICI or contact us by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We will then get in touch with you.
Acoustic variability in novel word learning among children aged 7 to 10 years with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Identifiant : VarLoc 
Date : May 2025 – September 2027
Funding : Children aged 7 to 10 years with a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Financement : ARC
Summary :
Recent research has shown that hearing a new word spoken by multiple speakers rather than a single speaker may help children learn it more effectively. However, little is known about how this process operates in children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). To investigate this question, we are recruiting typically developing children and children with DLD aged 7 to 10 years for a fun study consisting of two sessions conducted over two consecutive days. During each session, your child will hear 12 made-up words associated with pictures, presented either by one speaker or by several different speakers, allowing us to assess learning and memory after a night of sleep.
More information: Read the detailed study information sheet ICI and/or the recruitment flyer ICI if you are interested in this study.
Status: If you would like your child to participate in this study, please register ICI or contact us by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We will then get in touch with you.
Is the interactional bias in language development universal? A study of language learning from audiovisual material versus interaction in autistic and neurotypical children.
Identifiant : LangInteractionVideo 
Date: October 2024 – October 2028
Participants : (1) Children aged 3 years to 6 years 11 months with an autism diagnosis and (2) children aged 2 years to 5 years 11 months with typical development.
Funding : FNRS
Summary:
Research suggests that children learn language more effectively through social interactions than through passive exposure to audiovisual material. However, it remains unclear whether this preference for social interaction applies universally to all children, regardless of their developmental profile.
This project will involve playful activities designed to explore autistic and neurotypical children's ability to learn different types of linguistic content, such as object names, in three contexts:
(i) face-to-face interaction,
(ii) video call interaction,
(iii) pre-recorded video exposure.
In addition, the study will monitor children's language development for two years following their initial participation.
More information:Read the detailed study information sheet ICI if you are interested in this study.
Status : Recruitment ongoing. If you would like your child to participate in this study, please register ICI or contact us by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We will then contact you. Visits can take place at our research center, at your home, or at your child's school or care setting if the necessary authorizations are obtained.
Association between the maturation of sleep–wake rhythms and language acquisition in children
Identifiant : SOM01
Date : September 2023 – September 2027
Participants :
French-speaking children aged 2 to 6 years
Funding : EOS
Summary :
Over a 14-day period, your child's sleep–wake rhythm will be monitored using an actigraph. This device, similar to a wristwatch, records movement throughout the day and night, providing a detailed picture of your child's sleep habits. In addition, your child will participate in fun activities designed to assess language and reasoning abilities.
More information : Read the detailed study information sheet ICI if you are the parent of a typically developing child.
Status :Recruitment ongoing. If you would like your child to participate in this study, please register ICI or contact us by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We will then get in touch with you.