Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
The number of children with speech and language impairments (SLI) in Nigeria is unknown. Twenty four percent are affected in the U.S.A. Nigerian Speech and language pathologists (SLPs) are few hence, alternative means are required to facilitate these children. This study explores the effectiveness of informal communicative base intervention with an SLI child facilitated by her father. It aims to stimulate her speech development indirectly by modifying the manner in which her father communicates with her. Data was obtained by videotaped recordings of father child-interaction. Baseline language strategies were analyzed this was followed by six, one hour training sessions aimed at modifying Mr. A's communicative strategies to include language enhancers. A one year unsupervised intervention period followed. Mr. A. employed designated strategies with his daughter within his domestic routines. A second set of recordings were then made and analyzed to determine if the target strategies had been sustained. His daughter's speech was also reassessed. The results adduced that some of the modifications made during training were still in place by the termination of the study. The child's speech had improved appreciably. The study has significance for countries with a shortage of SLPs indicating that non-professionals with limited training, money and leisure time may be utilized in schools and homes to facilitate SLI children. It was suggested that further research explore how this informal interactive language stimulation model could be adapted to provide speech stimulation in the classroom by teachers when SLPs are absent.

Keywords: father-child interaction, language intervention, SLI, Nigeria

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