Zeitschrift für Sprachpathologie und Therapie

Abstrakt

Evaluation of Speech Pathology Intervention within a Multi-faceted Early Intervention Program for Children At Risk

Kerry Gwynne

Research has consistently confirmed that children from vulnerable families, where there is social disadvantage,
parental mental health problems, substance abuse or domestic violence, are at risk of long-term language delays and
disorders. If allowed to persist these language difficulties can then directly contribute to a range of social, emotional
and academic difficulties across the lifespan. A pilot study reported in 2009 evaluated the Spilstead Model (SM) of
Early Intervention for vulnerable children. Results from a battery of standardised clinician and parent rated measures
indicated that the SM of early intervention had the potential to maximise outcomes for both children and families
with particular gains noted in speech and language skills. This associated study aimed to further examine language
outcomes for a larger sample of children who received Speech Pathology services under the Spilstead Model. The
study targeted all children attending the Spilstead Therapeutic Preschool who presented on enrolment with language
delays. The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamental’s Pre-school 2nd Edition was then administered to assess
specific language skills via pre-post test research design. Results from a sample of 46 children indicated large effect
size changes in receptive language at 0.87 and core language at 0.82 at a p<0.001 level of significance. A moderate
effect size of 0.62 was also found in expressive language scores at p<0.001 level of significance. The significant
role of speech and language pathology for at-risk populations and implications for long-term child outcomes are
discussed.