This
study explored the impact of a caregiver training intervention on caregivers’
use of individually selected facilitative language techniques (FLTs) with
their children (ranging from 14 to 27 months of age) who were deaf or hard of
hearing. In addition, the study sought to identify real-time relationships
between caregiver input and child output. Finally, the Language ENvironment
Analysis (LENA) system was used to assess generalization of intervention
gains to the natural environment. Intervention was delivered via a telehealth
approach to train four caregivers to utilize a targeted FLT with their child.
Pre-baseline LENA recordings guided selection of treatment targets, and
post-intervention LENA recordings were used to assess generalization to the
natural environment. All caregivers demonstrated increases in use of their
targeted FLT in structured intervention sessions and maintained them 2–6
weeks after the conclusion of intervention. All children demonstrated an
increase in their developmentally appropriate vocalizations in tandem with
caregiver FLT increases. Results indicate that coaching can be used to
increase caregiver responsiveness, changes which were found to carry over
into the home environment.
