The aims of this small-scale study were to explore the feasibility and outcomes of a parent-implemented intervention for two-year-olds at risk of language difficulties, and to explore the implications for the public health model of speech and language therapy (SLT). This adds to limited research into targeted SLT public health interventions. It is the first study to investigate early language intervention delivered by trained therapy assistants (TAs) rather than clinicians. Nine children aged between 26 and 31 months took part. Seven (78%) completed the six-session intervention. The outcome measure was the Words subscale of the Language Use Inventory. The gross motor subscale of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire was used as a control measure. Children’s skills were assessed twice before intervention and once afterwards. At baseline, six participants had expressive language delay and no wider speech, language and communication needs (SLCNs). Five of this subgroup showed language use skills within the typical range following intervention. At baseline, three participants had expressive language delay and previously undetected receptive language and/or social interaction difficulties. None of this sub-group showed improved age-adjusted language use skills following intervention. All nine participants had gross motor skills in the typical range at each time point. These exploratory findings suggest this targeted intervention is feasible. This study presents no evidence of short-term impact of this intervention for two-year-olds with expressive language delay and wider SLCNs. These findings suggest this targeted language intervention for two-year-olds may be associated with accelerated language development for some two-year-olds at risk of language difficulties because of expressive language delay; and may help identify two-year-olds with previously undetected wider SLCNs, and therefore facilitate early access to specialist support. We highlight limitations in the study size, design and outcome measures, and identify how these preliminary findings can inform future research.

中文翻译：

---

由治疗助理为有语言困难风险的两岁儿童提供的父母实施的语言干预：案例系列

这项小规模研究的目的是探讨父母对有语言困难风险的两岁儿童实施干预的可行性和结果，并探讨对言语和语言治疗 (SLT) 公共卫生模式的影响）。这增加了对有针对性的 SLT 公共卫生干预的有限研究。这是第一项调查由训练有素的治疗助理 (TA) 而不是临床医生提供的早期语言干预的研究。九名年龄在 26 至 31 个月之间的儿童参加了此次活动。七人 (78%) 完成了六次干预。结果测量是语言使用量表的单词子量表。年龄和阶段问卷的粗大运动分量表用作控制措施。儿童的技能在干预之前和之后进行了两次评估。在基线时，六名参与者有表达性语言延迟，没有更广泛的言语、语言和交流需求 (SLCN)。该亚组中有五个人在干预后表现出典型范围内的语言使用技能。在基线时，三名参与者有表达性语言延迟和以前未被发现的接受性语言和/或社交互动困难。在干预后，该亚组中没有一个显示出改善的年龄调整语言使用技能。所有九名参与者在每个时间点都具有典型范围内的粗大运动技能。这些探索性发现表明这种有针对性的干预是可行的。这项研究没有证据表明这种干预对具有表达性语言延迟和更广泛 SLCN 的两岁儿童有短期影响。这些发现表明，这种针对两岁儿童的有针对性的语言干预可能与由于表达性语言延迟而面临语言困难风险的某些两岁儿童的语言发展加速有关；并且可能有助于识别具有先前未检测到的更广泛 SLCN 的两岁儿童，从而促进早期获得专家支持。我们强调研究规模、设计和结果测量方面的局限性，并确定这些初步发现如何为未来的研究提供信息。