Approaches to Grammar Intervention: A Look at Current Practice

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Weaknesses in grammar are a core weakness of many children with language impairment and are frequently targeted in language intervention. The present study nationally surveyed speech-language pathologists to better understand the intervention practices of clinicians currently treating grammatical weaknesses. Method A total of 383 participants responded to questions regarding components of grammar intervention through an online survey. Participants reported working primarily with children in early education (n=114), elementary school (n=224), and middle/high school (n=45). Results Participants provided extensive details of their interventions focused on grammatical forms. Participants’ treatment procedures, activities, and context varied based on the age group of their caseload reported. Across age groups, participants reported using modeling and recast procedures and book reading and conversation activities. Participants working with younger children most commonly reported working with children at home, and participants working with children in middle/high school most commonly reported working with children in small groups in the therapy room. Conclusion As researchers continue to develop and evaluate child language interventions, it is essential to have a strong understanding of current practice. Information from this study can be used to guide the development and empirical evaluation of grammatical approaches for children.