2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/04/2019 | 2:15 PM - 2:40 PM | Technology Assisted Language Intervention in Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing | Heathrow A/B
Technology Assisted Language Intervention in Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Background:
Many children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) have language deficits despite improvements in the age of identification and access to early intervention. Less progress has occurred in the development of novel approaches to speech-language therapy, offering an opportunity to consider alternative approaches to building language skills.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was implemented using an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention for children, 3 to 12 years who are D/HH with language underperformance (language skills below non-verbal cognitive performance). Pre-intervention evaluations included the Leiter International Performance Scale, Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, and language samples. Children and their parents completed AAC language therapy intervention with TouchChat on an iPad®. Intervention periods occurred weekly for a 6 week period with 6 week home-practice for a total of 24 weeks of intervention.
Results:
32 children who were D/HH were randomized to the AAC intervention and compared to children who continued in their usual therapy care. Results from repeated measures models indicate that children in the TALI program had significant increases in their mean length of utterance and that this trajectory was different compared to children in standard of care (p<.0001). Children in the intervention group also made larger gains in receptive language, expressive language and pragmatic language as compared to the usual care group. This progress was noted across children with varying non-verbal cognitive abilities, though the magnitude of effect was less for children with a non-verbal IQ of <85.
Conclusions:
Children who are D/HH with language underperformance showed substantial improvements in receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language development through an alternative approach to language therapy. While AAC therapy has been considered standard for children with speech disorders and autism spectrum disorder, children who are D/HH have not been considered for this intervention. Implications for early intervention providers will be discussed.
- To recognize the impact of augmentative and alternative communication intervention on language learning in children who are DHH
- To understand the factors impacting effect size of augmentative and alternative communication in children who are DHH
- To describe strategies in early childhood to support AAC readiness in children who are DHH
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18878_10470SusanWiley.docx
18878_10470SusanWiley.rtf
Presenters/Authors
Susan Wiley
(), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, susan.wiley@cchmc.org;
Dr. Susan Wiley is a developmental pediatrician with extensive expertise in children who are deaf/hard of hearing. She has many years of experience serving children with multiple disabilities. Dr Wiley provides leadership and guidance to the National American Academy of Pediatrics, the Ohio Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, the Ohio Center for Deaf-Blind Education, and the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness in the Ohio Center for Low Incidence.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Rose Sheldon
(), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Rose.sheldon@cchmc.org;
Rosie Sheldon is a speech-language pathologist with expertise in augmentative and alternative communication interventions. She is part of a research team focusing on language underperformance in children who are DHH at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Laura Smith
(), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, laura.smith1@cchmc.org;
Laura is a clinical research coordinator at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She has been working with an MCHB funded research study evaluting the impact of cognition and language on functional outcomes in young children who are deaf/hard of hearing.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Jareen Meinzen-Derr
(), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, jareen.meinzen-derr@cchmc.org;
Dr. Meinzen-Derr is quantitative epidemiologist at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She has focused her research on outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and specifically those who have additional developmental disabilities.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -