Word Learning in Deaf Children Using Eye-tracking and Behavioral Measures

Launched by BOSTON UNIVERSITY CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS · Aug 7, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how deaf children learn words, specifically looking at a concept called "mutual exclusivity." This means that children might think that each word only refers to one specific thing. For example, if they learn the sign for "dog," they might not think that the same word can refer to something else, like a "cat." The researchers want to see if this idea applies to deaf children who use American Sign Language (ASL) and whether it works differently for those who learn both ASL and spoken language.

To participate in this study, children need to be between 18 to 60 months old and have been born severely to profoundly deaf. They can have either deaf or hearing parents, but they must communicate using ASL and have normal or corrected vision. Unfortunately, children who have not been exposed to ASL cannot take part. If eligible, participants will engage in fun activities that help researchers understand how they learn words in their everyday lives. This study could provide valuable insights into language development in deaf children, which can help improve teaching methods and resources for them in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Deaf children ages 18-60 months
• • born severely to profoundly deaf
• • have either deaf or hearing parents
• • communicate using American Sign Language
• • have normal to corrected normal vision
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Deaf children who have not been exposed to American Sign Language