In neurobiology, form and function are highly interconnected. Small mutations in genes can lead to changes in their outcomes, RNA and proteins. These changes, in turn, can lead to disturbances in the structure and functioning of the brain, i.e., a neurological disorder. To understand how mutations influence form and function in the brain, studying them in animals with relevant behavior is necessary. For vocal learning, which is inherent to speech development, such models do not yet exist. In order to overcome this barrier and investigate how mutations linked to speech disorders affect brain circuits, we propose to generate a modular system of transgenic strains in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). This system, based on the Cas9 endonuclease, could be used to manipulate specific genes through the inclusion of guide RNA (gRNA). In order to test our system, we plan to generate two genetic models of human disorders that affect language: autism and persistent stuttering.