The Efficacy of an Explicit Intervention Approach to Improve Past Tense Marking for Early School-Age Children with Developmental Language Disorder

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Efficacy of an Explicit Intervention Approach to Improve Past Tense Marking for Early School-Age Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Language: English
Authors: Calder, Samuel D. (ORCID 0000-0001-6064-5837), Claessen, Mary, Ebbels, Susan, Leitão, Suze
Source: Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Jan 2021 64(1):91-104.
Availability: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Intervention, Morphemes, Developmental Disabilities, Language Impairments, Direct Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Grammar, Young Children, Foreign Countries, English Instruction
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00132
ISSN: 1092-4388
Abstract: Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a theoretically motivated explicit intervention approach to improve regular past tense marking for early school-age children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Method: Twenty-one children with DLD (ages 5;9-6;9 [years;months]) were included in a crossover randomized controlled trial (intervention, n = 10; waiting control, n = 11). Intervention included once-weekly sessions over 10 weeks using the SHAPE CODING system, in combination with a systematic cueing hierarchy to teach past tense marking. Once the first group completed intervention, the waiting control group crossed over to the intervention condition. The primary outcome was criterion-referenced measures of past tense marking with standardized measures of expressive and receptive grammar as the secondary outcome. Ancillary analyses on extension and behavioral control measures of morphosyntax were also conducted. Results: There was a significant Time × Group interaction (p < 0.001) with a significant difference in pre--post intervention improvement in favor of the intervention group (p < 0.001, d = 3.03). Further analysis once both groups had received the intervention revealed no improvement for either group on past tense production during the 5-week pre-intervention period, significant improvement pre--post intervention (p < 0.001, d = 1.22), with gains maintained for 5 weeks postintervention. No significant differences were found on pre- to postintervention standardized measures of grammar, or on extension or control measures. Conclusions: The efficacy of the theoretically motivated explicit grammar intervention was demonstrated. Results contribute to the evidence base supporting this intervention to improve past tense production in early school-age children with DLD, suggesting it is a viable option for clinicians to select when treating morphosyntactic difficulties for this population.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1284069
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a theoretically motivated explicit intervention approach to improve regular past tense marking for early school-age children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Method: Twenty-one children with DLD (ages 5;9-6;9 [years;months]) were included in a crossover randomized controlled trial (intervention, n = 10; waiting control, n = 11). Intervention included once-weekly sessions over 10 weeks using the SHAPE CODING system, in combination with a systematic cueing hierarchy to teach past tense marking. Once the first group completed intervention, the waiting control group crossed over to the intervention condition. The primary outcome was criterion-referenced measures of past tense marking with standardized measures of expressive and receptive grammar as the secondary outcome. Ancillary analyses on extension and behavioral control measures of morphosyntax were also conducted. Results: There was a significant Time × Group interaction (p < 0.001) with a significant difference in pre--post intervention improvement in favor of the intervention group (p < 0.001, d = 3.03). Further analysis once both groups had received the intervention revealed no improvement for either group on past tense production during the 5-week pre-intervention period, significant improvement pre--post intervention (p < 0.001, d = 1.22), with gains maintained for 5 weeks postintervention. No significant differences were found on pre- to postintervention standardized measures of grammar, or on extension or control measures. Conclusions: The efficacy of the theoretically motivated explicit grammar intervention was demonstrated. Results contribute to the evidence base supporting this intervention to improve past tense production in early school-age children with DLD, suggesting it is a viable option for clinicians to select when treating morphosyntactic difficulties for this population.
ISSN:1092-4388
DOI:10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00132