The application of the behaviour change technique taxonomy (BCTT) to parent-led language therapy intervention for children with a primary language del
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Education Comm & Lang Sci
Abstract
The majority of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) are identified before they are five years old. Early intervention by Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) is crucial to limit the negative impact on future development and prospects. Parental involvement in this intervention is vital, but not all parents can easily engage in the process due to its complexity. Behaviour Change Techniques (BCT) and Video Enhanced Observation (VEO) are tools that are known to be effective when training professionals to implement interventions. The aim of this research is to discover which BCT are used by SLTs to implement parent-led interventions for young children with SLCN; if the outcome of parent-led interventions for young children with SLCN be improved by the use of BCTT combined with VEO; and if a group or individual mode of delivery most effective in teaching parents new skills. The research is in two phases. Phase 1: an observational study to assign BCTs to SLT parent-led interventions for young children with SLCN. Phase 2: a controlled experimental evaluation of BCTT combined with VEO in group and individual implemented parent-led intervention for young children with SLCN. Both group and individual intervention delivery will be studied with three parent-child dyads (n+36) in each of the following conditions: Control (no use of BCTT); Experimental use of BCTT; Experimental use of BCTT with VEO. Pre- and post- intervention measures will evaluate the parents' views of the intervention and the benefits to the child in terms of language development.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000762/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 1926130 | Studentship | ES/P000762/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/12/2021 | Sarah Barnett |
| Description | Initial findings from literature analysis, observations of paediatric speech and language therapists, and a survey completed with around 60 therapists worldwide, indicate that the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTT - a list of therapeutic techniques conceived by behaviour change psychologists in public health interventions) is a very useful tool to capture the techniques used by Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) working with parents of preschool children with language difficulties. They show that there are two elements to this therapeutic relationship; those techniques therapists teach parents to use, and the techniques therapists use to teach these techniques (therapist-->parent-->child - the arrows representing the two distinct types of technique). The second group fit well into the behaviour change technique taxonomy, with many links and similarities. The former group can be defined in terms of the taxonomy in some cases, but mirror more sub-techniques, for example, the technique described in the BCTT '6.1 Demonstration fo the target behaviour' could encapsulate many intricate language modelling techniques that SLTs teach parents. Furthermore, these techniques may also be considered wholely the content of the intervention rather than the techniques used to deliver it despite their similarity to descriptions of techniques in the BCTT. |
| Exploitation Route | Findings can be applied directly to training therapists - to make them aware that they are using many intricate techniques in their practice. This may encourage them to increase their use of these techniques, and change the patterns in which they use them with clients. This may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their practice (though this is currently speculative, further research on the use of these techniques and their impact on efficiency and effectiveness of practice must be completed). Furthermore higher education institutions may consider using these findings in their teaching of speech and language therapy students. Currently the techniques identified and applied to the behaviour change taxonomy are not taught explicitly at universities and are simply learned 'by osmosis' as it were by speech and language therapy students on placement. |
| Sectors | Education,Healthcare |
| Description | Clinical Focus Group with Northumbria Healthcare Paediatric Speech and Language Therapists |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 30 Speech and Language Therapists attended their regular Clinical Focus Group where I had the opportunity to present the background to my research, along with tentative early findings of Phase 1 of the ABC-PALS project. This sparked a lot of discussion around how behaviour change theory can help within general practice. The group was then divided into smaller working groups for further discussion around the impact behaviour change theory and early findings of ABC-PALS can influence and enhance SLT's reflective practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |