March 15, 2008
Rvachew, S. & Nowak, M. (2001). The effect of target-selection strategy on phonological
learning. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 44, 610-623.
| Record | React |
| Main Point:
The purpose of the article is to inform the reader of the results of a study that was performed to determine if the traditional or nontraditional approach to target-selection was more effective in phonological learning.
| Relevance:
The study is relevant to practicing speech-language pathologists, graduate clinicians, and students studying communication disorders because it provides information about target selection. The study found that there was no difference in generalization between the two groups, however, parent satisfaction was greater for children in the traditional group. This is thought to be due to quicker production changes on the surface to the targeted sounds. However, how can a clinician be sure that the child is learning the rule and that we are not just providing cover-up for the underlying problem of knowledge.
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| Concepts:
The main concept presented in this article is that more improvement will be made and parents will be more satisfied when an early developing less complex target is selected for therapy.
| Connections:
Being a student clinician and having worked with children who have phonological disorders, I know that success is important and it is nice to show progress on goals, however is choosing the least complex target the most efficacious. Even though the study shows that the traditional group progressed and the parents were more satisfied, how much of the phonological system was changed? When selecting more complex targets, Gierut (2001) found that selecting these targets allowed for system-wide change. Thus, providing more efficacious treatment. The children were obtaining knowledge not just covering-up the underlying problem. Although the parents were more satisfied with the surface results of the traditional treatment I think that the results of the more complex targets overall would make the parents happier because the overall system would make changes in a more timely manor as opposed to selecting the least complex and only seeing changes to the particular target selected.
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| Summarize:
Contrary to Gierut (2001) the researches found that it was better to choose sounds that are less complex in order to provide the parents with satisfaction. The researchers found that using traditional methods showed more changes to the sounds being targeted versus the nontraditional method.
| Confusions:
Do the researchers actually think that saying the parents were more satisfied with the treatment results is a better way to judge the efficacy of the treatment provided? |
Gierut, J.A. (2001). Complexity in phonological treatment: Clinical factors. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 32, 229-241.
