There is a paucity of reports regarding the intensity and appropriate duration of treatment required to improve the language abilities of children with language impairment. This study used direct measures such as the time spent on language, the frequency, number of sessions and duration in one academic year to determine the treatment intensity and outcomes in US public school children with language impairment. The children received an average of 36 minutes of treatment during 1.3 sessions every week. The study revealed that less than 15% of the children received the intensity of the treatment that was prescribed on their individual programmes. In addition, the treatment intensity was not predicted by the severity of the children’s language impairment and more intensive language treatment did not significantly improve the outcomes. The authors conclude that treatment intensity should be viewed as a multidimensional concept and practical and empirical applications must be considered together for outcome evaluation.
Increased intensity of treatment: intensity does not improve outcomes
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar
Intensity of language treatment: contribution to children’s language outcomes.
CONTRIBUTOR
Gauri Mankekar
Department of Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
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