International journal of language & communication disorders
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyParent and teacher perceptions of participation and outcomes in an intensive communication intervention for children with pragmatic language impairment.
Treatment trials that enquire into parents' and teachers' views on speech-language interventions and outcomes for primary school-age children are relatively rare. The current study sought perceptions of the process of intervention and value placed on outcomes resulting from a trial of intervention, the Social Communication Intervention Project (SCIP), for children with communication disorders characterized by persistent needs in pragmatics and social use of language. ⋯ This analysis has contributed essential information to the evaluation of SCIP by describing the experience of the intervention as delivered, exploring processes of effective implementation and change in the school setting and by describing the value placed on different outcomes by parents and teachers. These findings can inform planning for collaborations between speech and language therapists and teachers and provide useful information about mechanisms of change in different components of the SCIP intervention which have not been individually evaluated before. Information on changes in children's communication skills which were perceived as meaningful to those living and working with the children daily is crucial to the acceptance and translation of the SCIP intervention into practice.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Nov 2012
Clinical TrialThe living with dysarthria group: implementation and feasibility of a group intervention for people with dysarthria following stroke and family members.
The broad life implications of acquired dysarthria are recognized, but they have received little attention in stroke management. Reports of group therapy, which may be a suitable approach to intervention, are not available for stroke-related dysarthria. ⋯ The recruitment experience revealed a take-up rate of around 20% from PWD following stroke, informing future planning. The participant engagement and performance results from the piloting of the programme indicate that the Living with Dysarthria programme is viable and has potential for effecting positive change. Further testing is justified.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Nov 2012
Survey of UK speech and language therapists' assessment and treatment practices for people with progressive dysarthria.
Dysarthria knowledge is predominantly impairment-based. As a result, speech and language therapists (SLTs) have traditionally adopted impairment-focused management practices. However, guidance for best practice suggests that SLTs should consider the client holistically, including the impact of dysarthria beyond the impairment. ⋯ The values held by SLTs match guideline recommendations for best practice, however the clinical reality is that the assessment of progressive dysarthria remains predominantly impairment-focused. New tools need to be developed and integrated into practice to target interaction in assessment and intervention, to reduce the gap between best practice recommendations and clinical reality. Ongoing research into the effectiveness of SLT intervention with clients with progressive dysarthria is required to guide clinical management decisions.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2012
Controlled Clinical TrialAssessing the treatment effects in apraxia of speech: introduction and evaluation of the Modified Diadochokinesis Test.
The number of reliable and valid instruments to measure the effects of therapy in apraxia of speech (AoS) is limited. ⋯ The study shows that the MDT has adequate psychometric properties, implying that it can be used to measure changes in speech motor control during treatment for apraxia of speech. The results demonstrate the validity and utility of the instrument as a supplement to speech tasks in assessing speech improvement aimed at the level of planning and programming of speech.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2012
Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention in long-term aphasia post-stroke: the experience from CHANT (Communication Hub for Aphasia in North Tyneside).
Despite recognition of the need for increased long-term support for people with aphasia following stroke, there remains limited evidence for effective service-level interventions. ⋯ The quantitative and qualitative (narrative) findings were complementary in demonstrating the effectiveness of the CHANT service delivery model. Moreover, the narratives, through a longitudinal perspective, provided evidence about people's experience of intervention for long-term aphasia. The findings provide foundations for further work into long-term recovery, intervention and adjustment to aphasia post-stroke.