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Descriptors:
Language Impairments; Child Language; Language Skills; Intervention; Outcomes of Education; Risk; Speech Therapy; Speech Language Pathology

Abstract:
Systematic reviews are important as a key source of information for commissioners and for developing practice in speech and language therapy (SLT) and early years. Interventions in this field are often complex and are delivered in community settings. This paper applies a systematic review of environmental interventions in early years for children with speech, language and communication needs. Interventions for primary language impairment may be divided into those which are child-focused and those which are focused on the environment. In both cases, the aim is to effect changes in the child's language skills. The paper introduces the context of evidence-based practice and commissioning of such interventions and argues that systematic reviews may be combined with other evidence to provide information which is fit for purpose for commissioners and for practitioners in the field. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Family Life; Parents; Disabilities; Interpersonal Communication; Child Rearing; Parent Child Relationship; Parent Attitudes; Foreign Countries; Interpersonal Competence; Communication Disorders

Abstract:
Background: Anecdotal and research evidence suggests that professionals may not fully understand the perspectives of families of children who need or use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This may impact on the provision of appropriate services. Aims: The aim was to explore the lived experience of parents of children in Britain who used AAC, with particular emphasis on the ways in which children's need for and use of AAC impacts on family life and communication. Methods & Procedures: The parents/carers of 11 children aged 3-10 years, who lived in Britain and who were in the early stages of using AAC, were recruited to take part in the study. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out in order to access rich descriptions of parents' experiences and views about having children who need to use AAC. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically to generate thematic networks. Outcomes & Results: Analysis revealed three thematic networks. The three Global Themes represented by the networks were concerned with the following areas: the child's communication and interaction; wider societal issues; and parents' views and experiences. Each Global Theme contained lower order Organizational Themes and these in turn were comprised of Basic Themes. Parents shared many common concerns, but the data also revealed some diversity of views. The themes and sub-themes are described with illustrative and representative quotes. Conclusions: These parents are experts on their children and may also be experts on AAC. Many factors impact on parents and the level and type of involvement they have with their children and their upbringing. Speech and language therapists need to acknowledge parents' knowledge and expertise regarding their children. They need to recognize that there are parent, child, family and external factors which impact on parents' ability and willingness to be involved in speech and language therapist provision, andthat these factors are not static over time. The use of ethnographic interviewing techniques should be considered a valuable aspect of speech and language therapist intervention. (Contains 2 tables, 3 figures, and 1 note.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Intervention; Listening Skills; Language Acquisition; Delayed Speech; Parent Attitudes; Speech Therapy; Allied Health Personnel; Speech Language Pathology; Foreign Countries; Preschool Children; Comparative Analysis; Individual Characteristics; Environmental Influences; Language Impairments

Abstract:
Background: Parental and speech and language therapist (SLT) explanatory models may affect engagement with speech and language therapy, but there has been dearth of research in this area. This study investigated parents' and SLTs' views about language development, delay and intervention in pre-school children with language delay. Aims: The aims were to describe, explore and explain the thoughts, understandings, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge and feelings held by: a group of parents from East Manchester, UK, whose pre-school children had been referred with suspected language delay; and SLTs working in the same area, in relation to language development, language delay and language intervention. Methods & Procedures: A total of 24 unstructured interviews were carried out: 15 with parents whose children had been referred for speech and language therapy and nine with SLTs who worked with pre-school children. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using Atlas/ti. The data were analysed, subjected to respondent validation, and grounded theories and principled descriptions developed to explain and describe parents' and SLTs' beliefs and views. Outcomes & Results: Parent and SLT data are presented separately. There are commonalities and differences between the parents and the SLTs. Both groups believe that language development and delay are influenced by both external and internal factors. Parents give more weight to the role of gender, imitation and personality and value television and videos, whereas the SLTs value the "right environment" and listening skills and consider that health/disability and socio-economic factors are important. Parents see themselves as experts on their child and have varied ideas about the role of SLTs, which do not always accord with SLTs' views. The parents and SLTs differ in their views of the roles of imitation and play in intervention. Parents typically try strategies before seeing an SLT. Conclusions: These data suggest that parents' ideas vary and that, although parents and SLTs may share some views, there are some important differences. These views have implications for the provision of appropriate services. Although this is a small sample from one group in the UK, the results indicate the need to investigate the views of other groups of parents. (Contains 1 table and 4 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Participatory Research; Intervention; Physical Activities; Nutrition; Home Visits; Eating Habits; Physical Activity Level; Surveys; Qualitative Research; Interviews; Program Effectiveness; Coaching (Performance); Rural Areas; Rural Population; Ethnic Diversity

Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to report the process outcomes of a coaching methodology used in a study designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity in families. Eighty-eight families with second graders were recruited from a rural, biethnic community in Colorado and randomized to intervention and delayed intervention conditions. This article reports on the 27 families in the delayed intervention group. Families received up to 10 home visits over 10 months from a family advisor and completed activities to improve their dietary and physical activity behaviors. Coaching conversations took place during each home visit. Coaching process outcomes were evaluated by analysis of visit documentation, participant survey, and qualitative interviews. Results indicated that coaching, in conjunction with family activities, engaged families in the process of change and facilitated movement toward the achievement of their weekly nutrition or physical activity goals. Coaching methodology may be particularly useful for participatory research. (Contains 4 tables.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Children; Foreign Countries; Interpersonal Communication; Program Effectiveness; Therapy; Communication Skills; Cerebral Palsy; Parent Child Relationship; Interaction

Abstract:
Background: Research has shown that children with cerebral palsy have difficulties acquiring communication skills and that conversation with familiar partners follows restricted patterns, which are characterized by high levels of partner control and children's responsivity. Speech and language therapy often includes training for conversational partners to help to them recognize children's communicative signals and to create opportunities for children to take a more equal and independent role in conversation. However, the effectiveness of this indirect therapy has not been demonstrated reliably. Aims: To review systematically all experimental research on communication training for conversational partners of children with cerebral palsy and to evaluate the effectiveness of this type of intervention. Methods & Procedures: As part of a wider review, health, psychology and education electronic databases were searched up to December 2002 for reports of experimental studies on the training of conversational partners to facilitate the communication of children with cerebral palsy, which contained an element of control. References from identified studies were followed-up and relevant journals and conference reports were hand-searched. Identified studies were assessed for inclusion by the first author. Two reviewers independently abstracted data on the quality and content of each study. Outcomes & Results: Four studies were identified from five research reports that met the criteria for inclusion in the review, comprising three group studies and one single case experiment. Common targets for training were observed across the studies. These included positioning of the conversational partner and child for interaction, creating communication opportunities and responding to children's communicative signals. Changes were observed in the conversation patterns used by conversational partners, which should facilitate the communication of children with cerebral palsy. However, the studies contain methodological flaws and as a result they cannot demonstrate that the changes were definitely a result of the intervention. Conclusions: Research on the effectiveness of interaction training for conversational partners of children with cerebral palsy is in its early stages. Training has incorporated common targets, which are widely acknowledged by clinicians to affect the communication of children with motor disorders. Trends in behaviour change have been suggested by research to date, but further studies that address the methodological inadequacies of the original research are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this type of intervention. Suggestions of ways to improve the design and reporting of future studies, that will allow the mapping of interventions to clients, are discussed in this review. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Foreign Countries; Speech Therapy; Questionnaires; Qualifications; Social Services; Foreign Students; Speech Language Pathology; Student Attitudes; Higher Education; Allied Health Personnel

Abstract:
Background: Informal evidence suggests that many Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) students from outside of the UK and/or Republic of Ireland who come to the UK either do not return to their home country on qualification or do not practise as SLTs in the public sector. Many factors may contribute to this situation. Concern that it may result in part from a poor match between UK SLT education and the demands of the role in other countries led the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to fund a study of international SLT students' experiences of UK qualifying courses. Aims: To discover and describe the experiences, views and expectations of current and past international students studying SLT in the UK and past international students' experiences, views and expectations of practising as SLTS, both inside and outside the UK. To consider the implications of the findings for (1) international students planning to work as SLTs; (2) UK SLT students planning to practise outside the UK; and (3) all those involved in SLT education: educational institutions; supervising SLTs; RCSLT. Methods & Procedures: The study involved distributing 166 postal questionnaires (some directly to (ex)students and some to their Higher Education Institutes, or HEIs) and carrying out 23 interviews, with both current students and those qualifying since May 1994. Quantitative analysis was carried out using SPSS using descriptive statistics. Qualitative analysis used content and thematic analyses. Outcomes & Results: Seventy-one questionnaires were received from current and past students, representing a minimum response rate of 43%. (It was not possible to verify exactly how many questionnaires were distributed by HEIs.) The results describe the diverse range of respondents' experiences of studying and working in the UK, their views of working in their home countries and the UK, and their suggestions about strategies that might be adopted to support them further. The results revealed that students come from a wide diversity of countries, with resulting differences in their experiences. However, there were some commonalities in the perceived advantages and disadvantages of working at home and in the UK. Conclusions: The suggestions for change included practical ideas for change both before and after qualification as an SLT. These included courses about the organization of health, education and social services in the UK, adaptations of course delivery and course work to include cross-cultural/linguistic work and 'home-based' projects. Implications of the findings and strategies for home as well as international SLT students are discussed. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Cultural Influences; Eating Habits; Ethnography; Physical Activity Level; Research Methodology; Socioeconomic Influences

Abstract:
Used a three-phase ethnographic approach to examine the range of factors that affected people's decisions about physical activity and diet. Data from interviews with diverse, low-income families with children highlighted barriers to and facilitators of healthy behavior. Results indicated that families were embedded in a multicomponent "web" of factors that influenced diet and physical activity. (SM) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Attitudes toward Disabilities; Cultural Awareness; Cultural Differences; Cultural Influences; Diversity (Student); Elementary Secondary Education; Language Impairments; Parent Child Relationship; Speech Impairments; Speech Language Pathology; Speech Therapy

Abstract:
This article analyses how and why cultural diversity is relevant to children with speech and language difficulties and the professionals who work with them. The relevance of various aspects of culture including the development of communication skills, language socialization, adult-child interaction, and epidemiology of speech and language difficulties is described. (Contains references.) (Author/CR) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Academic Libraries; Biographies; Editors; Foreign Countries; Information Scientists; Information Technology; Personal Narratives; Research Libraries; Scholarly Journals

Abstract:
The articles in this special issue honor the journal's foundation editor, Dietrich Borchardt giving a retrospect, personal memoir, insight to the editor, his government publications, Australia's bibliographer, personal note, impressionist sketch, education for librarianship, overseas suppliers, bibliography, and a paper by Borchardt "Establishing La Trobe University Library". (AEF)

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Descriptors:
Administrator Attitudes; Educational Practices; Foreign Countries; Health Occupations; Interviews; Knowledge Level; Language Impairments; Questionnaires; Special Education Teachers; Speech Impairments; Speech Therapy; Teacher Attitudes

Abstract:
Analysis of questionnaires and interviews with Tanzanian health and education professionals found that 41% reported having received training in speech and language difficulties but that 68% considered themselves responsible for assisting children with such problems. No evidence of research or planning for these children was found. A copy of the questionnaire used is appended. (DB)

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