scholarly journals Group-Based Direct and Indirect Approaches to Language Therapy for Children With Developmental Language Disorder: a Pre-Experimental Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-38
Author(s):  
Ana Matić ◽  
◽  
Jelena Kuvač Kraljević ◽  
Lana Kologranić Belić ◽  
Marina Olujić Tomazin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Parental Perception ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Positive Effects

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is among the most frequent communication disorders in early childhood. It affects the quality of the child’s academic and social life. Speech-language therapy to counter this impairment is usually individual and based on a direct approach with the therapist. New approaches begin to emerge, involving group settings, as well as indirect involvement of a parent who is constantly monitored and supervised by the therapist. Group and indirect therapies are infrequently used in Croatia, even though their effectiveness is well demonstrated worldwide. The aims of the current study were: 1) to examine whether two approaches to language therapy: group-based direct and indirect at home, can foster early literacy in children with DLD, and 2) to gain insight into parental perception of group therapy and how they perceived its potential influence on their children’s lives. It has a pre-experimental design and thus presents the first step towards an evidence-based effectiveness study. Eight children and their parents participated in the programme. Children’s language progress was measured using language tests before and after the programme, and parents’ perception of the therapy was evaluated using a post-programme questionnaire. The results suggest that group-based direct and indirect approaches can foster early literacy in preschool children with DLD. Parental perception of the therapy was positive; they expressed strong trust in the therapy and reported finding it useful for their children. The outcomes of the present pre-experimental study further corroborate positive effects of carefully planned therapies and serve as a step forward in conducting effectiveness studies in order to establish evidence-based practices in Croatia. Keywords: developmental language disorder, pre-experimental study, group language therapy, direct and indirect approaches, early literacy

A Systematic Review of Interventions for Multilingual Preschoolers With Speech and Language Difficulties

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Kathryn Crowe ◽  
Sisan Cuervo ◽  
Mark Guiberson ◽  
Karla N. Washington
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Literacy Interventions ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Language Difficulties

Purpose There is a shortage of information on evidence-based interventions for supporting young multilingual children. The purpose of this review was to identify interventions that have been evaluated with preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder or who are at risk of poor speech, language, literacy, and/or educational outcomes. Method This review considered speech, language, and early literacy interventions evaluated with preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder or who have been identified as being at risk of language difficulties (PROSPERO ID: 165892). The following electronic databases were searched: EBSCO (CINAHL Plus, ERIC, PsycINFO, Medline, Education) and Linguistics, Language, and Behavior Abstracts. Data were extracted describing article, participant, methodological, and intervention variables, and effect sizes. The Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) standards for evidence-based practice were used to examine the quality of studies. Results Fifty-six relevant studies were identified in 52 articles and these studies described 4,551 participants who had speech sound disorder (six articles), developmental language disorder (11 articles), or were considered to be at risk (36 articles). The interventions targeted speech production (seven studies), language (45 studies), and early literacy (11 studies) skills. Most studies reported positive effects. Only 15 studies met all quality indicators specified by the CEC (2014) and these described 18 interventions targeting language and literacy skills. The only intervention with sufficient evidence to be considered an evidence-based practice was Nuestros Niños [Our Children] for children's early literacy and phonological awareness skills. Conclusions A number of high-quality studies exist that describe speech, language and/or literacy interventions for preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder, or who have been identified as being at risk of language difficulties. However, there remains limited evidence for specific interventions as to their ability to inform evidence-based practices. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16632649

Adolescent Language Therapy: Syntax and Semantics for Reasoning and Planning

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Jill K. Fahy ◽  
David K. Browning
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Clinical Model ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Complex Planning

Purpose Adolescent students face increased expectations to successfully navigate academic, social, and vocational transitions. As demands increase and support systems fade, adolescents with developmental language disorder and concomitant deficits in executive functions are particularly vulnerable to these high-stakes transitional moments. Limited language systems are not well suited for navigating the subtleties of social nuance, the abstraction of academic and vocational language, and the unfamiliarity of complex planning necessary for self-regulation. Conclusions This clinical focus article proposes a clinical model of language therapy for adolescents with developmental language disorder and concomitant deficits in executive functions. Therapy emphasizes eliciting the most complex syntactic and semantic skills available to the student as they work to formulate specific, reasoned, predictive, strategic plans. Therapy takes place in small group contexts where pairs of students collaborate to use their language and reasoning to solve unfamiliar, challenging, scientific-like problems.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of 1:1 speech and language therapy for older children with (developmental) language disorder

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan H. Ebbels ◽  
Lisa Wright ◽  
Sally Brockbank ◽  
Caroline Godfrey ◽  
Catherine Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Disorder ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Speech And Language Therapy

scholarly journals Mobile Apps for Speech-Language Therapy in Adults With Communication Disorders: Review of Content and Quality

10.2196/18858 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e18858
Author(s):  
Atiyeh Vaezipour ◽  
Jessica Campbell ◽  
Deborah Theodoros ◽  
Trevor Russell
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play

Background Worldwide, more than 75% of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience communication disorders. Communication disorders are impairments in the ability to communicate effectively, that is, sending, receiving, processing, and comprehending verbal and nonverbal concepts and symbols. Such disorders may have enduring impacts on employment, social participation, and quality of life. Technology-enabled interventions such as mobile apps have the potential to increase the reach of speech-language therapy to treat communication disorders. However, ensuring that apps are evidence-based and of high quality is critical for facilitating safe and effective treatment for adults with communication disorders. Objective The aim of this review is to identify mobile apps that are currently widely available to adults with communication disorders for speech-language therapy and to assess their content and quality using the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Methods Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and webpages were searched to identify mobile apps for speech-language therapy. Apps were included in the review if they were designed for the treatment of adult communication disorders after ABI, were in English, and were either free or for purchase. Certified speech-language pathologists used the MARS to assess the quality of the apps. Results From a total of 2680 apps identified from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and web searches, 2.61% (70/2680) apps met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Overall, 61% (43/70) were available for download on the iPhone Operating System (iOS) platform, 20% (14/70) on the Android platform, and 19% (13/70) on both iOS and Android platforms. A content analysis of the apps revealed 43 apps for language, 17 apps for speech, 8 apps for cognitive communication, 6 apps for voice, and 5 apps for oromotor function or numeracy. The overall MARS mean score was 3.7 out of 5, SD 0.6, ranging between 2.1 and 4.5, with functionality being the highest-scored subscale (4.3, SD 0.6), followed by aesthetics (3.8, SD 0.8), information (3.4, SD 0.6), and engagement (3.3, SD 0.6). The top 5 apps were Naming Therapy (4.6/5), Speech Flipbook Standard (4.6/5), Number Therapy (4.5/5), Answering Therapy, and Constant Therapy (4.4/5). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically identify and evaluate a broad range of mobile apps for speech-language therapy for adults with communication disorders after sustaining ABI. We found a lack of interactive and engaging elements in the apps, a critical factor in sustaining self-managed speech-language therapy. More evidence-based apps with a focus on human factors, user experience, and a patient-led design approach are required to enhance effectiveness and long-term use.

scholarly journals A preliminary evaluation of a manualised intervention to improve early literacy skills in children with Developmental Language Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 026565902110520
Author(s):  
Anna Louise Taylor ◽  
Samuel David Calder ◽  
Simmone Pogorzelski ◽  
Stagoll Lauren Koch
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Early Literacy Skills ◽  
Tier 1

Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) commonly present with oral language weaknesses which disrupt the development of literacy and impede related academic progress. While there is evidence to support the delivery of manualised Tier 2 interventions with this population, little is known about the effects of Tier 1 interventions. A retrospective cohort comparison was used to evaluate whether there was an observable effect of a manualised Tier 1 intervention compared to ‘business-as-usual’ on early literacy skills for children with DLD. Participants were 140 children attending a specialised education program with equivalent oral language skills and alphabetic knowledge at baseline. After 18 months formal literacy intervention, both groups were assessed on measures of early literacy skills. The differences between group means on all measures favoured the manualised intervention group, and they performed significantly better on a measure of nonword reading fluency. The findings indicate that a manualised Tier 1 intervention may be advantageous for children with DLD in developing proficiency in phonological recoding. This research contributes to the sparse evidence-base supporting the implementation of Tier 1 interventions for at risk populations, and findings warrant future research using experimental designs with tighter controls.

Using Nonword Repetition to Identify Developmental Language Disorder in Monolingual and Bilingual Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Salomé Schwob ◽  
Laurane Eddé ◽  
Laure Jacquin ◽  
Mégane Leboulanger ◽  
Margot Picard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Nonword Repetition ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Language Background

Purpose A wealth of studies has assessed the diagnostic value of the nonword repetition task (NWRT) for the detection of developmental language disorder (DLD) in the clinical context of speech and language therapy, first in monolingual children and, more recently, in bilingual children. This review article reviews this literature systematically and conducts a meta-analysis on the discriminative power of this type of task in both populations. Method Three databases were used to select articles based on keyword combinations, which were then reviewed for relevance and methodological rigor based on internationally recognized checklists. From an initial pool of 488 studies, 46 studies were selected for inclusion in the systematic review, and 35 of these studies could be included in a meta-analysis. Results Most of the articles report significant discrimination between children with and without DLD in both monolingual and bilingual contexts, and the meta-analysis shows a large mean effect size. Three factors (age of the child, linguistic status, and language specificity of the task) yielded enough quantitative data for further exploration. Subgroups analysis shows variance in effect sizes, but none of the three factors, neither their interactions, were significant in a metaregression. We discuss how other, less explored factors (e.g., nature of the stimuli, scoring methods) could also contribute to differences in results. Sensitivity and specificity analyses reported in 33 studies confirmed that, despite possible effect size differences, the diagnostic accuracy of the NWRT is generally near thresholds considered to be discriminatory. It generally increases when it is combined with other tasks (e.g., parental questionnaire). Conclusions This review indicates that the NWRT is a promising diagnostic tool to identify children with DLD in monolingual and bilingual contexts with a large mean effect size. However, it seems necessary to choose the precise NWRT materials based on the children's language background and to complement the assessment sessions with other tools in order to ensure diagnosis and to obtain complete language profile of the child. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15152370

scholarly journals SLT- practical aspects: inquiries, good practices and evidence based interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol VII (2) ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Cristian TUDOREAN
Keyword(s):  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Training System ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Language And Communication

INTRODUCTION: Although speech therapy in Romania has a tradition of over 70 years, the practice in the field is in a full process of affirmation and clarification. The initial training system and some professional organizations contribute to the updating and dissemination of standards and good practices in the field. OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to describe some aspects of Romanian speech therapy practice and to draw attention to some discrepancies in the reporting of language and communication disorders. Some suggestions on concrete ways of intervention and evidence-based speech therapy are also offered. METHODS: (1) The statistical data reported by the Iași Inter-School Speech Therapy Center between 2011 and 2020 were analyzed. The data are compared with those available internationally. (2) Two children groups were considered: one diagnosed with developmental language disorder (DLD) (n = 67) and another diagnosed with language delay (LD) (n = 57), aged between 3 and 12 years (M = 5 years 8 months). Tests were used to establish the psychological language age, active and passive vocabulary, record the phonetic inventory and language samples analysis (LSA) for qualitative observations. RESULTS: (1) Statistical data reveal a concordance of reports for speech sound disorders. There are major discrepancies for the other language and communication disorders. Causal explanations and potential directions for remedying this situation are proposed. (2) A statistical analysis (Student’s t test) was conducted in order to compare the children in LD and DLD groups. The data obtained from this analysis along with LSA indicate that the language skills differ between the two groups on the following aspects: lexical, pragmatic, semantic, syntactic, morphological and phonological. Significant differences (p<0.05) occur for onset speech therapy age, phonological disorder, passive vocabulary and language psychological age. Results for active vocabulary did not indicate statistical difference between LD and DLD children. CONCLUSIONS: Explorations reveal a situation with potential negative consequences on children with language and communication disorders. It is desirable to ensure a consensus among practitioners, from the identification phase to the construction of the remediation plan. The use of guidelines for language development and communication skills can contribute to a unitary and effective practice. The study is a prospective one, this issue being subject for further exhaustive approaches.

scholarly journals Verb processing in children with developmental language disorder

Logopedija ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-83
Author(s):  
Katarina Pavičić Dokoza
Keyword(s):  
Word Processing ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Verb Processing ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Semantic Errors ◽  
Speed Accuracy ◽  
Speed And Accuracy

Speed, accuracy, and type of errors during word processing in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have often been in the focus of various lexical studies. Results of these studies are uniform: children with DLD show slow and less accurate processing. Less is known about the speed and accuracy of verb processing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore whether there are differences in the speed and accuracy of verb processing between children with DLD and their typical developing chronological peers (TDC) and younger, language age-matched peers (TDC-y), with special attention to the type of errors produced. The participants in this pilot study were 30 children between the ages of 7;11 and 11 years. Average age of children with DLD was 10;2; TDC children 9;9; and TDC-y children were 8,1. Research procedure included stimulus word presented in auditory form, and children’s task was to choose which one of the three presented pictures on computer screen represent the verb they just heard. Results showed no statistically significant differences regarding speed and accuracy between groups of participants. The difference in proportion of errors in picture selection task did not reach statistical significance when it comes to phonological mistakes, nor when it comes to semantic errors. However, the proportion of phonological errors had a tendency of highest scores in group of children with DLD, while proportion of semantic errors was highest in TDC-y. According to findings from this study, it seems important to emphasize the importance of phonological exercises parallel with exercises focused on vocabulary span in work with children with DLD. Number of exposures to the new word in children with DLD can play a significant role in speed of processing but it can also lead to overlearning affecting research outcomes. Children with DLD who participated in this study had been enrolled in speech and language therapy for several years. Future studies should, among other, also control this variable.

scholarly journals Data-Informed Guideposts for Decision Making in Enhanced Conversational Recast Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2068-2081
Author(s):  
Jessica Hall ◽  
Elena Plante
Keyword(s):  
Language Disorder ◽  
Treatment Approach ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Treatment Efficiency ◽  
Stopping Treatment ◽  
Data Informed ◽  
Generalization Accuracy ◽  
Overall Effectiveness

Background To maximize treatment efficiency, it would be useful to determine how long to continue a treatment approach before concluding that it is not effective for a particular client, whether and when generalization of treatment is likely to occur, and at what point to end treatment once a child is approaching mastery. Method We analyzed aggregate data from 117 preschoolers with developmental language disorder from a decade of treatment studies on Enhanced Conversational Recast therapy to determine whether the timing of treatment response impacts its overall effectiveness and whether certain levels of accuracy during treatment enable 100% accurate generalization after treatment ends. Results We found that children who take longer than 10 days to answer one item correctly during treatment are unlikely to ever respond to the treatment approach. Generalization accuracy closely followed treatment accuracy, suggesting the two are tightly linked for this treatment method. We did not find evidence that attaining a certain level of accuracy below 100% during treatment enabled children to generalize with 100% accuracy after treatment ended. Conclusions Clinicians using Enhanced Conversational Recast treatment can use these markers to help make evidence-based decisions in their practice regarding how long to continue treatment. Importantly, these data suggest that stopping treatment before a child has attained 100% accuracy (for at least three sessions) does not ensure that a child will ever reach 100% accuracy on their own.

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