Effectiveness of a caregiver-based video early language intervention program

Abstract

Background. A recent study developed a video-based parent training program delivered and reported positive outcomes in enhancing mothers’ language facilitation skills and children’s communication ability (Ng, 2018). The present study evaluated the effectiveness of this program on children with language impairment. Method. Parents of children with language impairment were recruited. Thirty-eight parentchild dyads completed the program by watching six videos sent to their mobile devices over two months. Outcomes included (1) parents’ knowledge of language facilitating techniques, (2) their actual use in parent-child interaction, and (3) children’s intentional communicative acts during the interaction. Results: The program showed significant improvement in parents’ knowledge of language facilitating skills. Only a small change in parents’ use of language facilitating techniques and no significant change in children’s communication performance was observed. Conclusion. The video-based parent-implemented language program was effective to a small extent in a heterogenous population and the feasibility of providing some professional assistance to supplement video training sessions can be examined in future studies. Keywords: Parent-implemented language program, video-based home training, language development disorders, language therapy