Word-finding intervention for children with specific language impairment: a multiple single-case study

This study examined the effectiveness of a combined phonological and semantic intervention for children with specific language impairment who had word-finding difficulties (WFDs).

To evaluate the intervention, a multiple single-case design was implemented with 4 children, ages 9;6 (years;months) to 13;9, who had WFDs. Some items were trained using a phonological intervention; others were trained using a semantic one. Lexical access outcomes were measured using a picture-naming test at pre- and posttesting.

Three children exhibited a significant reduction in WFDs on the intervention words after 6 sessions. These effects were present at posttest and 6 months later for the treated words only and not the control words. Each child responded differently to the intervention, and these response patterns seemed to be related to each child's linguistic profile.

This intervention seemed to achieve long-lasting reductions in children's WFDs. The differential responses to phonological and semantic intervention imply the need to tailor intervention for differing children by matching it to their linguistic profile.