The efficacy of the cycles approach: a multiple baseline design.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Cycles Phonological Remediation Approach as an intervention for children with speech sound disorders (SSD). A multiple baseline design across behaviors was used to examine intervention effects. Three children (ages 4;3 to 5;3) with moderate-severe to severe SSDs participated in two cycles of therapy. Three phonological patterns were targeted for each child. Generalization probes were administered during baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases to assess generalization and maintenance of learned skills. Two of the three participants exhibited statistically and clinically significant gains by the end of the intervention phase and these effects were maintained at follow-up. The third participant exhibited significant gains at follow-up. Phonologically known target patterns showed greater generalization than unknown target patterns across all phases. Individual differences in performance were examined at the participant level and the target pattern level.


OBJECTIVE
The reader will be able to: (1) enumerate the three major components of the cycles approach, (2) describe factors that should be considered when selecting treatment targets, and (3) identify variables that may affect a child's outcome following cycles treatment.
Purdue University, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, 500 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. Electronic address: johanna.m.rudolph@gmail.com.
Johanna M
JM
Rudolph
Purdue University, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, 500 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue University, Department of Educational Studies, 100 N. University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Oliver
O
Wendt
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010700:Phonetics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Children; Cycles approach; Phonological intervention; Speech sound disorder