![]() Children also made gains in their pragmatic skills pre to post intervention. Language samples were collected throughout the study and pragmatic language was assessed pre and post intervention.Īt the end of 24 weeks, children demonstrated a significant increase in their mean length of utterance, number of words spoken, and mean turn length according to language samples. The goal of the TALI was to improve spoken language development in children who were D/HH. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether integrating augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) core word language strategies into a speech-language therapy program for young children who are D/HH improves spoken language outcomes.Įleven young children, median age 5 years 7 months (range 3y 11 m to 10y 8 m) with bilateral hearing loss were enrolled in a single-case experimental design and completed a 24-week intervention that incorporated high-tech AAC strategies into a traditional speech-language therapy model (technology-assisted language intervention or TALI). Using augmentative and alternative communication technology on iPads(®) shows promise in supporting rapid language growth among elementary school-age children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing with language underperformance.ĭespite early identification and intervention, many children who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) demonstrate significant gaps in language development which can directly impact social interactions. Mean turn length values also slightly increased over time. Total words and different words significantly increased over time (β = 26.8 (7.1), p = 0.001 for total words β = 8.0 (2.7), p = 0.008 for different words). At baseline, the median total number of words spoken per language sample was 251 (range 101-458), with 100 (range 36-100) different words spoken. The baseline median mean length of utterance was 2.41 (range 1.09-6.63 mean 2.88) and significantly increased over time (p = 0.002) to a median of 3.68 at final visit (range 1.97-6.81 mean 3.62). Repeated measures models assessed change over time. Language samples were analyzed for changes in mean length of utterance, vocabulary words and mean turn length. ![]() Pilot study to assess the effect of augmentative and alternative communication technology to enhance language development in children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.įive children ages 5-10 years with permanent bilateral hearing loss who were identified with language underperformance participated in an individualized 24-week structured program using the application TouchChat WordPower on iPads(®).
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