We are recruiting typically developing 5-year-olds . Our study involves both behavioral measures and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is a completely safe, non-invasive procedure that allows researchers to take pictures of the brain. 

If you and your child choose to participate, your child will come to our lab facilities for 4-5 sessions. The sessions are held on the University of Texas campus in Austin,TX. These sessions will each last about 1.5 hours. During these sessions, your child will play some games on the computer, complete standardized testing, learn about MRI during practice sessions, and enjoy a little downtime. Your child will become familiar with our pretend MRI machine, learn how MRI works, and participate in two real MRIs. All testing is child friendly and child appropriate. At the end of each session your child will receive $20/hour, and you will also be given $20 as reimbursement for transportation to each visit. The sessions will take place within 4 months, but you may be invited to participate in follow-up research at approximately yearly intervals.

If you and your child’s name are interested in participating, please complete this preliminary questionnaire. This brief survey takes only 3-5 minutes, and allows us to determine if your child qualifies for our current study. After completing the survey, we will contact you within a few days.

If you have any questions, please e-mail or call our lab at 512-471-1479. More detailed information about our study can be found below. 

 
Who we are:
University of Texas at Austin's Brain Development Lab
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
 
What we do:
We study children’s brain development, with a particular focus on how the brain changes as children learn. We use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to measure brain structure and activity.
 
Why Participate:
· This project is an amazing opportunity to participate in an investigational study that may lead to improved clinical diagnoses and treatment of children with Language Impairment.
· Participants who enroll in this study will receive payment to compensate them for their participation.
· Children who participate receive a CD which includes MRI “pictures” of their brain to take home with them.
· Parents may elect to receive a report with results of their child's standardized testing results.
 
Who is invited?
5-year-olds who are typically developing
Children CANNOT participate in MRI studies if they:
· Have any metal in the body (braces, implants, etc.)
· Are left handed
· Are claustrophobic
· Speak fluently in any language besides English
· Have history of premature birth or birth complications, ADHD, hearing impairment, uncorrected visual impairment, psychiatric disorders, or neurological disease
 
What to expect:
Participants will be asked to participate up to 5 separate days of testing:
· 1 standardized academic testing
· 2 MRI practice sessions where we will teach what it is like to do an MRI using a simulator MRI machine and complete additional standardized testing
· 2 real MRI scanning sessions
 
All visits can be scheduled during the day, after school, or on weekends.

For all visits, a legal parent or guardian must be present so we can better introduce the study and have you sign consent forms for your child. All the data provided by your child will remain confidential. No child will be identified by name in any reports of this study.

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