Language Disorders in Children

Each chapter concludes with “Chapter Summary” and “Study Guide.”

I. AN INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS.

1. Language and Verbal Behavior.

Rational versus Empirical Approaches

Language versus Verbal Behavior

Linguistic Analysis of Language

Linguistic Explanations of Language and Language Learning

Analysis of Verbal Behavior

Language and Communication

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

2. An Overview of Language Disorders in Children.

What are Language Disorders in Children?

Language Disorders by any Other Name

Prevalence and Incidence of Language Disorders

Varieties of Language Disorders

Risk Factors for Language Disorders

Effects of Language Disorders

3.  Children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI).

A Description of SLI

Early Communication Deficits

Language and Speech Characteristics of Children with SLI       

Causes, Correlations, and Explanations

Is SLI Truly Specific to Language?

Prognosis for Children with SLI

Understanding SLI: An Integrative Discussion

II. ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF LANGUAGE DISORDERS.

4. Assessment, Measurement, and Diagnosis.

Assessment, Measurement, and Diagnosis

An Initial Judgment: Screening

Assessment and Measurement Procedures

Making a Diagnosis

Recommendations: Talking with the Family Members

Writing a Diagnostic Report

5. Treatment of Language Disorders: An Evidence-Based Framework.

What is Evidence-Based Practice?

An Overview of Treatment Research

Guidelines to Select: A Hierarchy of Treatment Research Evidence

Treatment Research in Children’s Language Disorders

From the Beginning to the End: An Overview of Treatment

Principles of Target Behavior Selection

Sequence of Target Behaviors

Specifying Target Behaviors

Principles of Treatment Sequencing

Judging Improvement: Need for Baselines

Treatment Principles

Structure of Treatment Sessions

Treatment Trials

Probes for Generalized Productions

Criteria for Clinical Decisions

Post-Dismissal Follow-up and Booster Treatment

6. Evidence-Based Treatment Techniques.

Starting with the Clinical and Moving to the Natural: Fading

Putting the Child on the Right Path: Modeling

Giving a Hint: Prompting

Building More Complex Skills: Shaping

Giving a Helping Hand: Manual Guidance

Just Telling Them: Instructions

Getting Them to Say More: Techniques to Increase Language Skills

Strengthening the Language Skills: Varying the Consequences

Getting the Children’s Cooperation: Decreasing the Troublesome Behaviors

Breaking the Rules: Modifying Procedures

7. Establishing Basic Language Skills.

Selecting Basic Language Skills

Establishing Baselines

Teaching Basic Language Skills

Sequencing Treatment

Preparing for the Next Stage

8. Expanding Language Skills.

Expanding Previously Learned Skills

Teaching Varied Sentence Types

Teaching Conversational Speech

Teaching Narrative Skills

Teaching Abstract Language Skills

Integrating Conversational Skills — Putting it all Together  

Moving to Nonclinical Settings 

9. Maintaining Language Skills: A Family Partnership.

Maintenance: Going Beyond Clinical Treatment  

Generalization: A Misunderstood Concept

Maintenance: Skills That Last in Natural Settings

Bypassing the Problem: Home-Based Treatment of Children

Strategies to Promote Skill Maintenance

Follow-up and Booster Treatment

10. Supporting Academic Performance: Language and Literacy.

Trends in Special Education Service Delivery

Trends in Literacy Instruction

Assessment of Reading and Writing

Intervention for Reading and Writing

Beyond Assessment and Intervention: Advancing the Literacy Knowledge Base and Advocating for Effective Literacy Practices 11. Children in a Multicultural Society: Implications for Assessment and Treatment.

Cultural Competency: What Does it Mean and How Does it Help?

Differences Are Not Disorders

Understanding Each Other: Working with Interpreters

Nonbiased Assessment of Multicultural Children

Treatment for Multicultural Children: A Question of Generality

Working with Children and Families of Varied Cultural Backgrounds

III.  LANGUAGE DISORDERS IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS OF CHILDREN.

12. Children with Developmental Disability

Developmental Disability: Characteristics

Causes, Correlations, and Explanations

Speech and Language Skills

Assessment and Treatment Modifications

13. Children with Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Prevalence of Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Causes, Correlations, and Explanations

Language and Communication in Children with ASD/PDD

Assessment and Treatment Modifications

14.  Language Disorders in Three Populations: Children with Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, and Hearing Loss.

Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

Children with Cerebral Palsy

Children with Hearing Loss

15.  Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Definition and Types

Assessing Communicative Skills in Children who are Nonverbal or Minimally Verbal

Assessing Physical, Sensory, and Cognitive Skills

Looking for the Best Fit: Selecting an AAC System

Supporting Children Using AAC in Natural Settings: Modifications to Treatment Procedures

A Look into the Future: Technology, Communication, and Children

Glossary.

References.