Supporting Literacy Development in Adolescents Through Written Language Intervention

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-92
Author(s):  
Jeannene M. Ward-Lonergan

Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in supporting literacy development in adolescents with Language Impairments through both direct therapeutic intervention and collaboration with other related professionals in school settings. The purpose of this article is to present numerous curriculum-based, language intervention goals and specific techniques that are designed to facilitate the development of literacy skills in these students in the areas of morphology/syntax, semantics, pragmatics/discourse, and vocational language.

Author(s):  
Vassilios Argyropoulos ◽  
Magda Nikolaraizi ◽  
Maria Papazafiri

The aim of the current chapter is to describe alternative ways that can enhance literacy development for persons with deafblindness. The conventional concept of literacy, which concerns reading and writing, excludes persons with deafblindness from literacy experiences. Therefore, a broadened and more contemporary concept is supported, which incorporates communication. Within this broader concept, assistive technology can play an important role in the development of literacy and therefore facilitate the access of individuals who are deafblind in different domains of life. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes the critical role of teachers and the importance of training that will enable them to exploit assistive technology in order to enhance the literacy skills of persons who are deafblind.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Fallon ◽  
Lauren A. Katz

Purpose Structured literacy (SL) is an umbrella term used by the International Dyslexia Association that refers to evidence-based instructional approaches that incorporate all aspects of spoken language into the teaching of reading, spelling, and writing ( International Dyslexia Association, 2016 ). SL has gained prominence in the field of reading but is less familiar to speech-language pathologists. This tutorial seeks to describe SL with specific attention to the morphological component. Using current research literature combined with descriptions of specific therapeutic practices, this tutorial offers research-informed, clinical strategies for facilitating the development of morphological skills in students with spoken and written language impairments including dyslexia. Method In this tutorial, the authors focus on the research literature and clinical applications related to the topics of (a) spoken and written language impairments, including dyslexia; (b) SL intervention; (c) intervention in the areas of morphological awareness and analysis; and (d) the promotion of academic success in students who struggle with language and literacy. Conclusions SL is a term used to unify and describe evidence-based principles and components that should be included in all effective reading and writing instructions. Among other linguistic skills, morphology holds a prominent place in SL. It is critical that speech-language pathologists become familiar with SL and the evidence-based practices for growing these students' morphological awareness skills in order to promote language and literacy success.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 304-313
Author(s):  
Maggie Watson ◽  
Casey O'Keefe ◽  
Abigail Wallace ◽  
Pamela Terrell

Purpose This study investigated reading teachers' (RTs) views of speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) abilities to provide services for clients who have written language disorders. Previous research has shown SLPs often do not provide such services due to time constraints, lack of training, and their perception that other school personnel are more qualified. However, little is known about RTs' views of SLPs' abilities to provide reading/writing intervention. Method Three hundred twenty-three RTs responded to a survey designed to determine their perceptions and experiences of SLPs providing services to children with written language difficulties. Respondents were from all regions of the United States. Results Approximately 80% of the respondents supported the idea of SLPs providing written language intervention services, with 69% recognizing that there was an evidence base for such intervention. However, many RTs registered some disagreement that SLPs had sufficient training to provide written language instruction and may lack knowledge of the curriculum. These results also identified factors that SLPs wishing to be involved in literacy instruction may need to address including administrative support, involvement in school-wide literacy learning decisions, and participation in professional development opportunities on literacy instruction. Conclusion These results indicated that RTs may be supportive of SLPs addressing the written language needs of the students they serve. Although written language intervention is within SLPs' scope of practice, SLPs currently practicing in school settings may need to advocate for themselves to actively be involved in written language instruction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Q. Cabell ◽  
Cynthia S. Puranik ◽  
Laura S. Tortorelli

In this article, the authors outline how writing during the preschool years is connected with the development of literacy and briefly discuss research on early writing development in children with language impairments. Next, the authors describe ways in which early writing can be assessed and facilitated both in therapeutic contexts and early childhood classrooms, including the collaborative role speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play in providing early writing support for preschoolers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Levesque ◽  
Helen Breadmore ◽  
Helene Deacon

A defining feature of language lies in its capacity to represent meaning across oral and written forms. Morphemes, the smallest units of meaning in a language, are the fundamental building blocks that encode meaning, and morphological skills enable their effective use in oral and written language. Increasing evidence indicates that morphological skills are linked to literacy outcomes, including word reading, spelling, and reading comprehension. Despite this evidence, the precise ways in which morphology influences the development of children’s literacy skills remains largely underspecified in theoretical models of reading and spelling development. In this paper, we draw on the extensive empirical evidence base in English to explicitly detail how morphology might be integrated into models of reading and spelling development. In doing so, we build on the perspective that morphology is multidimensional in its support of literacy development. The culmination of our efforts is the Morphological Pathways Framework—an adapted framework that illuminates precise mechanisms by which morphology impacts word reading, spelling, and reading comprehension. Through this framework, we bring greater clarity and specificity on how the use of morphemes in oral and written language supports the development of children’s literacy skills. We also highlight gaps in the literature, revealing important areas to focus future research to improve theoretical understanding. Furthermore, this paper provides valuable theoretical insight that will guide future empirical inquiries in identifying more precise morphological targets for intervention, which may have widespread implications for informing literacy practices in the classroom and educational policies more broadly.


1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Wood ◽  
Joan L. Rankin ◽  
David R. Beukelman

Word prompt programs are computer software programs or program features that are used in addition to basic word processing. These programs provide word lists from which a user selects a desired word and inserts it into a line of text. This software is used to support individuals with severe speech, physical, and learning disabilities. This tutorial describes the features of a variety of word prompt programs and reviews the current literature on the use of these programs by people with oral and written language needs. In addition, a matrix that identifies the features contained in eight sample word prompt programs is provided. The descriptions of features and the matrix are designed to assist speech-language pathologists and teachers in evaluating and selecting word prompt programs to support their clients' oral and written communication.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Keller-Bell ◽  
Maureen Short

Purpose Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) provide a framework for behavioral expectations in school systems for children with and without disabilities. Speech-language pathologists who work in school settings should be familiar with this framework as part of their role in improving the outcomes for children. The purpose of this tutorial is to discuss PBIS and its use in school settings. Method The authors provide an overview of the PBIS framework and focus on its applicability in classroom-based settings. The process of implementing PBIS in classrooms and other settings such as speech-language therapy is discussed. Conclusions This tutorial provides speech-language pathologists with an overview of PBIS and may facilitate their understanding of how to implement PBIS in nonclassroom settings.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Mills ◽  
Jennifer Brush

Speech-language pathologists can play a critical role in providing education and intervention to prevent social withdrawal, prevent premature disability, and maximize cognitive functioning in persons with MCI. The purpose of this article is to describe positive, solution-focused educational program that speech-language pathologists can implement with family care partners to improve relationships and provide quality care for someone living with MCI.


Author(s):  
Nicole Patton Terry

Abstract Determining how best to address young children's African American English use in formal literacy assessment and instruction is a challenge. Evidence is not yet available to discern which theory best accounts for the relation between AAE use and literacy skills or to delineate which dialect-informed educational practices are most effective for children in preschool and the primary grades. Nonetheless, consistent observations of an educationally significant relation between AAE use and various early literacy skills suggest that dialect variation should be considered in assessment and instruction practices involving children who are learning to read and write. The speech-language pathologist can play a critical role in instituting such practices in schools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-513
Author(s):  
Ashley Bourque Meaux ◽  
Julie A. Wolter ◽  
Ginger G. Collins

Purpose This article introduces the Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Forum: Morphological Awareness as a Key Factor in Language-Literacy Success for Academic Achievement. The goal of this forum is to relate the influence morphological awareness (MA) has on overall language and literacy development with morphology acting as the “binding agent” between orthography, phonology, and semantics ( Perfetti, 2007 ) in assessment and intervention for school-aged children. Method This introduction provides a foundation for MA development and explores the influence MA has over the course of school-aged language and literacy development. Through summaries of the 11 articles in this forum, school-based speech-language pathologists will be able to convey the importance of MA to promote successful educational outcomes for kindergarten to adolescent students. The forum explores researcher-developed assessments used to help identify MA skill level in first- through eighth-grade students at risk for literacy failure to support instructional needs. The forum also provides school-based speech-language pathologists with details to design and implement MA interventions to support academic success for school-aged students with varying speech-language needs (e.g., dual language emersion, vocabulary development, reading comprehension) using various service delivery models (e.g., small group, classroom-based, intensive summer camps). Conclusion MA is effective in facilitating language and literacy development and as such can be an ideally focused on using multilinguistic approaches for assessment and intervention. The articles in this issue highlight the importance in assessment measures and intervention approaches that focus on students' MA to improve overall academic success in children of all ages and abilities.


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