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A Qualitative Exploration of Support Groups for Parents of Children with Developmental Language Disorder

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Title: A Qualitative Exploration of Support Groups for Parents of Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Language: English
Authors: Maura K. O’Fallon (ORCID 0000-0001-7037-2211), Oluwakemi Jacobs, Emily Rulewicz, Tyler Christopulos (ORCID 0000-0002-0492-9816), Sarah L. Curtiss (ORCID 0000-0002-5003-8184), Amanda Owen Van Horne (ORCID 0000-0002-3517-5885)
Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 2025 56(4):956-969.
Availability: 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
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Social Support Groups, Developmental Delays, Language Impairments, Parents, Coping, Students with Disabilities, Barriers, Student Evaluation, Disability Identification, Intervention, Student Needs, Parent Attitudes, Young Children
DOI: 10.1044/2025_LSHSS-24-00118
ISSN: 0161-1461
1558-9129
Abstract: Purpose: Parents of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have unique support needs. While support groups have a strong evidence base, they have not been adapted for use with this population. Our goal was to explore support needs among parents of children with DLD and their perspectives on participating in a support group. Method: We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 caregivers of children with DLD. We asked questions about existing support needs, coping strategies, and hypothetical participation in a support group. Systematic text condensation was used to identify themes and subthemes within parent responses. Results: Participants reported that systemic issues (e.g., Individualized Education Program processes, insurance coverage) hindered their ability to access evaluation and treatment services for their child. They also reported informational needs, such as wanting to know more about DLD, and challenges locating trustworthy resources. Emotional support needs included mental health challenges, as well as feelings of isolation and guilt. Finally, participants expressed interest in joining support groups and identified ways in which attendance would address emotional and informational needs. Conclusions: Within our sample, participants were dissatisfied with practices in evaluation and treatment for children with DLD. They wanted more information from speech-language pathologists and other service providers and described difficult emotions that accompanied raising a child with DLD. We propose that parent support groups, a flexible and low-cost option, may address these needs from parents of children with DLD.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1486453
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
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  Data: A Qualitative Exploration of Support Groups for Parents of Children with Developmental Language Disorder
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maura+K%2E+O%27Fallon%22">Maura K. O’Fallon</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7037-2211">0000-0001-7037-2211</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Oluwakemi+Jacobs%22">Oluwakemi Jacobs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emily+Rulewicz%22">Emily Rulewicz</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tyler+Christopulos%22">Tyler Christopulos</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0492-9816">0000-0002-0492-9816</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+L%2E+Curtiss%22">Sarah L. Curtiss</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5003-8184">0000-0002-5003-8184</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amanda+Owen+Van+Horne%22">Amanda Owen Van Horne</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3517-5885">0000-0002-3517-5885</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Language%2C+Speech%2C+and+Hearing+Services+in+Schools%22"><i>Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools</i></searchLink>. 2025 56(4):956-969.
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 14
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Support+Groups%22">Social Support Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Developmental+Delays%22">Developmental Delays</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Impairments%22">Language Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parents%22">Parents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coping%22">Coping</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Evaluation%22">Student Evaluation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disability+Identification%22">Disability Identification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Needs%22">Student Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Attitudes%22">Parent Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Young+Children%22">Young Children</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1044/2025_LSHSS-24-00118
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 0161-1461<br />1558-9129
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Purpose: Parents of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have unique support needs. While support groups have a strong evidence base, they have not been adapted for use with this population. Our goal was to explore support needs among parents of children with DLD and their perspectives on participating in a support group. Method: We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 caregivers of children with DLD. We asked questions about existing support needs, coping strategies, and hypothetical participation in a support group. Systematic text condensation was used to identify themes and subthemes within parent responses. Results: Participants reported that systemic issues (e.g., Individualized Education Program processes, insurance coverage) hindered their ability to access evaluation and treatment services for their child. They also reported informational needs, such as wanting to know more about DLD, and challenges locating trustworthy resources. Emotional support needs included mental health challenges, as well as feelings of isolation and guilt. Finally, participants expressed interest in joining support groups and identified ways in which attendance would address emotional and informational needs. Conclusions: Within our sample, participants were dissatisfied with practices in evaluation and treatment for children with DLD. They wanted more information from speech-language pathologists and other service providers and described difficult emotions that accompanied raising a child with DLD. We propose that parent support groups, a flexible and low-cost option, may address these needs from parents of children with DLD.
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        Value: 10.1044/2025_LSHSS-24-00118
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
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        PageCount: 14
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Social Support Groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Developmental Delays
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Impairments
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      – SubjectFull: Parents
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      – SubjectFull: Coping
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      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Disability Identification
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      – SubjectFull: Intervention
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      – SubjectFull: Parent Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Young Children
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