Community-based early intervention for language delay: a preliminary investigation.
BACKGROUND
A trial parent-focused early intervention (PFEI) programme for children with delayed language development is reported in which current research evidence was translated and applied within the constraints of available of clinical resources. The programme, based at a primary school, was run by a speech-language pathologist with speech-language pathology students.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in child language development and parent and child interactions following attendance at the PFEI.


METHODS
Eighteen parents and their children attended six, weekly group sessions in which parents were provided with strategies to maximize language learning in everyday contexts. Pre- and post-programme assessments of vocabulary size and measures of parent-child interaction were collected.


RESULTS
Parents and children significantly increased their communicative interactions from pre- to post-treatment. Children's expressive vocabulary size and language skills increased significantly. Large-effect sizes were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The positive outcomes of the intervention programme contribute to the evidence base of intervention strategies and forms of service delivery for children at risk of language delay.
School of Psychology and Social Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia. n.ciccone@ecu.edu.au
Natalie
N
Ciccone
Neville
N
Hennessey
Stephanie F
SF
Stokes
D000328:Adult; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012574:Schools; D014825:Vocabulary