Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) describes a condition where a typically developing child fails to achieve the speech and language milestones that are expected for his/her chronological age. Children with DLD form a non-homogenous group by demonstrating variable deficits in different components of grammar (syntax, morphology, phonology) as well as in vocabulary and lexicon in the absence of other factors that typically accompany language problems (such as hearing impairment, low non-verbal IQ, neurological damage, or socio-emotional deprivation). Dr Elena Theodorou has been Funding from the University (40,000 Euro Start up Fund) to carry out research in the areas of Diagnosis and Intervention for children with language and communication impairment. Fisrtly, research’s goal is to capture language abilities/characteristics of Cypriot Greek children both typically developing and impaired (DLD, autism spectrum disorder [ASD], Down syndrome, stuttering) effectively, using an experimental battery of language tests. Then, norms will be developed for the language tools capable of diagnosing language impaired children correctly.  The ultimate goal of the research is to provide clinicians with valid and effective tools for assessment purposes.

Call: Internal funding from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)

Role: Principal Investigator

Duration: 2017 - 2018

Website:

Funding: Internal funding from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)

Predictive factors concerning the language development of late talkers: The current research project focuses on the way that late talkers develop their vocabulary based on the measurement and analysis of word variation. This is noted in special lists that are completed by parents (parentally reported vocabulary checklist).

Development of speech and language assessment battery: The current investigation focuses on the creation, piloting and standardization of the first speech and language assessment battery in Cyprus. The project is being funded by the Cyprus Association of Registered Speech and Language Therapists, the Cyprus council of registration of Speech and Language Therapists and standard funding by the Cyprus University of Technology.

Developmental phonology: This research project focuses on the investigation of developmental phonological patterns of toddlers with typical language development, with an emphasis on the development of phonological processes in early speech. The purpose is to develop a screening tool that will provide the means for assessing the whole phonetic repertoire of Cypriot Greek, such that the targeted intervention is provided on the basis of the phonetic-phonological profile of the toddler. This research project also includes toddlers with a late onset of expressive vocabulary, with the aim being to identify the phonological processes that characterise these toddlers as opposed to typically developing ones.

Phonological, semantic and syntactic correlations: The current investigation focuses on the correlation among language sub-domains. Through correlation studies the research project involves investigating the relation that exists between phonological skills along with semantic and syntactic development in the third year of life. We are interested in how these three language skills interact with each other synchronically, i.e. within the same age, as well as how performance at one age level can predict performance in the same or other skills at a subsequently stage (for example between 28 and 36 months).

Semantic Profiling:In this research project, the focus is on the investigation of the average of number of words that are comprehended and produced at different ages as well as the types of words based on the developmental stage of the participants. The overall aim is the development of a semantic profiling of children of different ages, which will provide significant information regarding not only the quantity but also the quality of that produced.

Vocabulary assessment and intervention in the field of augmentative and alternative communication. The current research project is aimed at contributing to both the literature and practice by focusing on the assessment and intervention of receptive vocabulary skills of pupils with cerebral palsy. The participants will be students with cerebral palsy aged 3-6 years old, their parents, as well as the educational staff (including speech and language therapists) who support them.

Risk Factors for Voice Disorders in University Professors in Cyprus: The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for voice pathologies in professors with voice disorders (VD) versus professors with no voice disorders (NVD).  A web questionnaire was completed by 196 professors from several universities in Cyprus. The questionnaire elicited data regarding voice risk factors on parameters including general health, voice use, lifestyle and environment and the severity of a subject’s voice problem. 

Duration: 2014 - Present

Website: http://theralab.cut.ac.cy/?lang=el

Funding: Cyprus University of Technology - 40 000 €