ERIC Number: EJ1205894
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Jan
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0161-1461
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Speech Intervention Outcomes Associated with Word Lexicality and Intervention Intensity
Cummings, Alycia; Hallgrimson, Janet; Robinson, Sarah
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, v50 n1 p83-98 Jan 2019
Purpose: This study examined how lexical representations and intervention intensity affect phonological acquisition and generalization in children with speech sound disorders. Method: Using a single-subject multiple baseline design, 24 children with speech sound disorders (3;6 to 6;10 [years;months]) were split into 3 word lexicality types targeting word-initial complex singleton phonemes: /[alveolar approximant] l [voiceless postalveolar affricate] [voiceless dental fricative]/. Specifically, academic vocabulary words, nonwords (NWs), and high-frequency (HF) words were contrasted. Intervention intensity was examined by comparing the performance of 12 children who completed eleven 50-min sessions (4 children/word type) to the performance of 12 who completed 19 sessions (4 children/word type). Children's production accuracy of their treated phonemes and overall percent consonants correct values were used to measure phonological generalization via percentage accuracy scores and "d" scores. Results: All word lexicality conditions elicited phonological change, suggesting that academic vocabulary words, NWs, and HF words are viable intervention targets. Group mean averages were similarly high for the NWs and HF words, although children in the NW condition demonstrated more consistent phonological gains. Children who received 19 intervention sessions achieved 6 times more gains in treated sound accuracy than did children who received 11 sessions. Conclusions: Word lexicality did not significantly influence children's intervention outcomes. More intensive intervention, as characterized by the number sessions, resulted in greater phonological change than did a shorter intervention program. Intervention intensity outcomes should be considered when establishing best practices for speech intervention scheduling.
Descriptors: Intervention, Speech Impairments, Children, Phonology, Generalization, Phonemes, Vocabulary, Accuracy, Outcomes of Treatment
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: lshss@asha.org; Web site: http://lshss.pubs.asha.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); National Center for Research Resources (NIH/DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R15DC013359; C06RR022088
Author Affiliations: N/A