Marquette University professor receives $3.8 million R01 grant from NIH for clinical tool to diagnose childhood motor speech disorders

Oct. 30, 2025

MILWAUKEE - Multiple Principal Investigators, Dr. Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, associate professor of speech pathology and audiology at Marquette University, and Dr. Kristen Allison, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at Northeastern University, have been awarded a $3.8 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to further develop a clinical tool for the early and accurate differential diagnosis of motor speech disorders-apraxia of speech and dysarthria- in children.

Iuzzini-Seigel and Allison developed the Profile for Childhood Apraxia of speech and Dysarthria (ProCAD), a clinical tool for the systematic rating of motor speech features to support differential diagnosis of these motor speech disorders. This project takes the next step by establishing normative data for the features in 200 preschoolers with typical development and to determine the diagnostic utility of these features in differentiating the two disorders.

"Childhood apraxia of speech and dysarthria are highly debilitating motor speech disorders that can have negative lifelong impacts on speech, academics, vocational success and social-emotional health for the millions of individuals with these diagnoses," Iuzzini-Seigel said. "Although these disorders have distinct underlying causes, they can be difficult to differentially diagnose and a validated, norm referenced protocol to differentiate these disorders does not exist. We hope to take important steps towards development of a much-needed assessment protocol to identify features that best differentiate children with childhood apraxia of speech from dysarthria and from the features children demonstrate during typical development."

Preliminary data demonstrates the ProCAD's ability to distinguish between the two motor speech disorders. The results of this continued research will provide the scientific foundation for development of a clinically feasible, norm-referenced assessment protocol, to identify motor speech features that are atypical for a child's age, thereby facilitating earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

"Dr. Iuzzini-Seigel is a recognized leader in her field, whose expertise is sought after at conferences around the world," said Dr. William E. Cullinan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. "Her pioneering research in childhood apraxia of speech has driven earlier diagnosis and more targeted interventions for children. We are excited for her to build on this important work through her new grant proposal, which promises to create meaningful and lasting improvements in the lives of affected children."

The project, "Auditory-perceptual motor speech features in preschoolers: Norms and utility in differentiating childhood apraxia of speech and dysarthria," is funded through NIH's National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. NIDCD conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech and language.

NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit https://www.nih.gov.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].