PAEDIATRIC LANGUAGE, LEARNING, & SPEECH OUTCOMES LAB
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A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO OUR LAB
The PedLLS Outcomes Lab at the University of Toronto is led by Dr. Karla N Washington, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and board-certified specialist in child language development and disorders. We conduct clinical research projects related to the developing child's language, speech, and functional commuincation across monolingual and multilingual contexts
Dr. Karla N Washington, Principal Investigator, Lab Director
Canada Research Chair (CIHR, Tier 2)
MISSION AND VISION
Our mission in PedLLS Outcomes Lab is to understand how speech and language production development differs in multilingual versus monolingual learners by using :
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Neuroimaging Techniques
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Behavioural Methods
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Acoustic Methods
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Art-Based Methods
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Culturally Responsive Tools
We welcome MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral students to join our research. Team members develop valuable skills in data analysis, knowledge translation, and clinical application.
WORDS FROM OUR STUDENTS
IN JAMAICA
My placement in Kingston, Jamaica, as part of the SLP program, was an incredible opportunity to conduct speech, language, and hearing assessments with preschool children for the Jamaican-Creole Language Project. This experience not only broadened my perspective on the field but also deepened my understanding of how cultural and linguistic differences can shape speech and language development.
Havane Emik, MHSc Student
LATEST NEWS
A brief summary of our recent projects
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ICPLA Conference
Patras, Greece
Dr. Kelly Farquharson Visits the PedLLS Lab
PedLLS Lab
Summer Mentorship Program
Temerty Faculty of Medicine
This July, our lab jetted off to sunny Patras, Greece for the 2025 ICPLA conference! Adhirai Garibaldi tackled the challenges of analysing language samples in a morphologically complex South Asian language. Nicole Bazzocchi explored how computerized tools can be adapted for Caribbean-English speaking children. Ruochen Ning brought brain science into the mix with her presentation on using neuroimaging to study late talkers. From language samples to toddler brains, we were thrilled to share our work on the international stage!
This summer, our PedLLs lab had the privilege of hosting Dr. Kelly Farquharson, a speech-language pathologist, associate professor, and director of the Children’s Literacy and Speech Sound (CLaSS) Lab at Florida State University. Her research explores the cognitive, linguistic, orthographic, and environmental factors that shape how children with speech and language disorders develop literacy skills, with the goal of improving assessment and treatment practices for SLPs.
On July 9th, our lab had a blast participating in a showcase on speech-language pathology (SLP) for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Summer Mentorship Program! With a special focus on child language, we explored everything from brain activation patterns to culturally responsive assessment of multilingual speakers. Students became language detectives, mapped brain regions involved in communication, and got a behind-the-scenes look at how research shapes real-world practice. We loved connecting with such curious and engaged future health professionals—and maybe even a few future SLPs!