Our research programme focuses on language disorders in a range of neuro-developmental conditions, including children with developmental language disorder, autism spectrum disorders and reading difficulties. We use experimental methods and longitudinal studies of different populations to try and understand why some children have difficulty acquiring their native language, what helps language develop in these populations, and how language interacts with other aspects of development.
We are committed to fostering links between researchers, practitioners and the wider community by hosting joint workshops and engaging in a variety of science outreach activities. Look at News & Blog to read summaries of our own work and commentaries on other clinical, research, and academic matters.
Principal investigator
Courtenay is Professor of Developmental Disorders of Language and Communication and a qualified speech-language therapist.
Latest news
Are you from a SCALES school?
Are you a parent or child interested in taking part in our research?
Read press coverage of our findings
Thanks all for kind words. I’m esp sad about this grant b/c it was to develop great work by @josaul14 who is trailing intervention for minimally verbal autistic children...
— Prof Courtenay Norbury (@lilacCourt) November 12, 2019
Have just had an intervention grant rejected, not b/c of concerns about the science, but b/c it might be construed as ‘placing normative communicative behaviour ahead of individual ability.’ Decision by adults with excellent language skills.
— Prof Courtenay Norbury (@lilacCourt) November 11, 2019