A Safari Amongst Language Research

1
A Safari Amongst Language Research

• NSW EBPN Paediatric Language Group
• Clinical Network Leader Brooke Funnell
• Liverpool Health Service
• 9828 4776

2
The Crew

• Auburn CHC
• Chatswood CHC
• Dubbo CHC
• Forster CHC
• Hills CHC
• Hillview CHC
• Lismore CHC

• Liverpool CHC
• Macarthur Health Service
• Mt Druitt CHC
• NEXUS (John Hunter)
• Queenscliffe CHC
• SCH
• Uni of Sydney

3
Where Did We Come From?

• Difficulties with clinical questions and searches
• Dearth of positive useful data
• Multiple baseline designs
• Topics covered included phonological awareness,
  models of service delivery, long term effects of
  language disorder, language therapy techniques,
  parent training
• On the path to a CAT

4
Where Are We??

• Our CATs to date
• What is the most Effective form of treatment for
  4 year olds?
• Word Finding Difficulty
• EI SDM Parent Training vs Clinician Led
• Rx vs No Rx

5
Lost in the NHMRC

• How can we achieve NHMRC 1?
• What makes a pseudorandomised control trial in
  language?

6
A Good Trek

• Vasilyeva, M., Huttenlocher, J., Waterfall, H.
  (2006). Effects of language intervention on
  syntactic levels in preschoolers. Developmental
  Psychology, 42(1), 164-174.
• Level II
• Current research
• Still lots of questions (weaknesses) arose from
  it.
• Study didnt determine if the participants had
  any underlying language, development, or
  emotional/behavioural difficulties
• Poor comprehension task not statistically
  strong data

7
A Good Trek

• Hodge, T. Downie, J. (2004). Together we are
  heard Effectiveness of daily language groups
  in a community preschool. Nursing and Health
  Sciences, 6, 101-107.
• Level IV
• Weak research but clinically good
• Australian
• The program wasnt referenced, extraneous
  variables werent controlled for there was no
  control group why not? Multiple baseline
  design??

8
A Poor Trek

• Telleen, S., Wren, C. (1985). Acquisition of
  prepositions in language delayed preschoolers is
  intervention effective? British Journal of
  Disorders of Communication, 20, pg 301-309
• No strengths!
• Couldnt give it an evidence rating!!!
• No control groups or randomisation
• No statistical analysis
• Poor description of procedure testing, therapy,
  criterion
• Poor description of subjects reason for
  cognitive delay and there was a huge range
• Poor inclusion/exclusion criteria - No
  information regarding other services the children
  were receiving i.e. SP

9
Our Challenges

• Lack of good research
• Where are the randomised control trials??
• Clinical Questions
• Need to be specific
• Lots to cover
• Slow progress is it more effective?

10
Where Are We Heading?

• General comprehension
• Auditory Processing Disorders
• Looking at the evidence for specific therapy
  programs Blades and Prompt
• School language / Curriculum Based Learning

11
Thank You

• Come and join us next year.
• Contact me on [phone] or
• Brooke.Funnell_at_sswahs.nsw.gov.au
• Our meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of February,
  May, August, November
• 2.30 4.30