Explicit Grammatical Intervention for Developmental Language Disorder: Three Approaches

Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch. 2020 Apr 7;51(2):226-246. doi: 10.1044/2019_LSHSS-19-00046. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Abstract

Purpose This article summarizes the shared principles and evidence underpinning methods employed in the three sentence-level (syntactic) grammatical intervention approaches developed by the authors. We discuss associated clinical resources and map a way forward for clinically useful research in this area. Method We provide an overview of the principles and perspectives that are common across our three syntactic intervention approaches: MetaTaal (Zwitserlood, 2015; Zwitserlood, Wijnen, et al., 2015), the SHAPE CODING system (Ebbels, 2007; Ebbels et al., 2014, 2007), and Complex Sentence Intervention (Balthazar & Scott, 2017, 2018). A description of each approach provides examples and summarizes current evidence supporting effectiveness for children with developmental language disorder ranging in age from 5 to 16 years. We suggest promising directions for future research that will advance our understanding of effective practices and support more widespread adoption of syntactic interventions with school-age children. Conclusion In each approach to syntactic intervention, careful and detailed analysis of grammatical knowledge is used to support target selection. Intervention targets are explicitly described and presented systematically using multimodal representations within engaging and functional activities. Treatment stimuli are varied within a target pattern in order to maximize learning. Similar intervention intervals and intensities have been studied and proven clinically feasible and have produced measurable effects. We identify a need for more research evidence to maximize the effectiveness of our grammatical interventions, encompassing languages other than English, as well as practical clinical tools to guide target selection, measurement of outcomes, and decisions about how to tailor interventions to individual needs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Language
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Language Development Disorders / therapy*
  • Language Therapy / methods*
  • Linguistics*

Grants and funding

The Complex Sentence Intervention treatment protocol (Balthazar & Scott, 2018) was developed with the support of Grant 1R15011165 from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The content of this article is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders or the National Institutes of Health. The second MetaTaal intervention study (Zwitserlood, 2015) was supported by a grant from SIAC ProgrammaraadVerbindendVernieuwen. This article is part of the forum “Morphosyntax Assessment and Intervention for Children.”