Target Selection in Speech Therapy: Is a Non-Developmental Approach More Efficient Than a Developmental Approach?
EBP Briefs
Tambyraja, S. R., & Dunkle, J. T. (2014).
EBP Briefs, 8(5), 1-9.
This systematic review compares the effects of phonological interventions that incorporate developmental targets to the effects of phonological interventions that include non-developmental target selection on speech sound production in preschool-aged children with severe phonological disorders.
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Published, peer-reviewed studies (not further specified)
6
"Data from the reviewed studies suggested that if earlier- and later-developing sounds were both stimulable, targeting the later-developing sound would result in broader generalization. However, if considering a child’s sound inventory, targeting a non-stimulable sound would result in greater generalization" (p. 5).
The evidence indicated either the developmental or the non-developmental approach to target selection can be potentially successful. "However, with respect to generalized phonological learning of untreated sounds, the evidence more strongly suggested that a non-developmental approach to target selection would produce greater change in children’s overall speech production skills" (p. 5).
"These studies indicate that incorporating a non-developmental approach may be more efficient in supporting widespread phonological learning; however, the effectiveness of this approach varies according to children’s stimulability for target sounds" (p. 1).
