Determining Optimal Treatment Intensity for Children With Language Impairment

The word learning intervention uses the 10 commercially available children's books and 6 target vocabulary words from each book that meet common criteria for appropriate vocabulary targets. Children will receive 1-on-1 treatment sessions with a trained, speech-language research assistant. Each week, 2 of 10 storybooks chosen for the study will be read with 3 of 6 targeted vocabulary words targeted from each book. The book and words targeted will be consistent between random assignment conditions. For each book reading, speech-language interns will implement word learning strategies during pre reading, during reading, and post reading. Strategies include providing a definition, a synonym, and a contextual sentence. The number of strategies used will vary on which word is being targeted; all words will be randomly assigned to a particular dose, ranging from 0 (no strategies) to 20 (all of the strategies at each reading).