Speech-language hearing performance in social project: preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction: Research has shown the importance of early life in brain development. When the child does not have the expected language development, may have impairment in acquisitions. Thus, early identification of changes avoids unfavorable educational and social consequences. Objective: to propose a speech-language intervention project in a childcare institution; collect data about children’s language before and after speech therapy intervention; enable overcoming language changes. Methods: Observation of children, in the collective activity room, through the observation form. Then, children at risk for language impairment were selected and were submitted to assessment through the Language Development Assessment (ADL) and the Child Phonological Assessment (CFA). The children were stimulated during 12 weekly group meetings and then reevaluated. Data were tabulated and analyzed by comparing the evaluations before and after stimulation and reporting the data obtained from the questionnaires answered by the caregivers. Results: The four children - 3 boys and 1 girl - who participated in the study had improved language assessments after the stimulation period, 3 modified the severity of the language disorder, and one outperformed the language disorders - “normal development of language ”- after reevaluation. Conclusion: The caregivers’ reports and reassessment results showed that the interventions had positive effects and were relevant for the children, characterizing a good proposal for collective speech therapy intervention.