As a practitioner in the field of speech-language pathology, it is crucial to rely on data-driven decisions to improve outcomes for children. A recent study titled Spelling Proficiency of Children with a Resolved Phonological Speech Sound Disorder Treated with an Integrated Approach—A Long-Term Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Trial provides valuable insights into how specific therapeutic approaches can positively impact spelling proficiency in children with resolved phonological speech sound disorders (pDSSD).
Phonological developmental speech sound disorders (pDSSD) are common in preschool children and can lead to later difficulties in literacy acquisition. The study by Siemons-Lühring et al. (2023) followed 26 German-speaking children who completed the PhonoSens treatment, a method focusing on improving auditory self-monitoring skills and categorical perception of phoneme contrasts. The study found that only 3 out of 26 participants developed a spelling disorder, compared to higher rates reported in previous studies.
Key Findings
- Only 11.5% of children treated with PhonoSens developed a spelling disorder, compared to 56% in a similar population treated with unspecified methods.
- Children in the study showed better spelling proficiency than the general population of fourth-graders in Germany.
- Parental education level and family risk for developmental language disorder (DLD) were significant predictors of spelling abilities, while gender and phonological memory were not.
Implications for Practice
The findings suggest that integrated treatment methods like PhonoSens, which emphasize phoneme sensitivity and auditory self-monitoring, can have long-term positive effects on spelling development. Practitioners should consider incorporating these elements into their therapeutic approaches to enhance spelling outcomes for children with pDSSD.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the influence of parental education and family history of DLD when assessing and planning treatment for children with pDSSD. Tailoring interventions to address these factors may further improve literacy outcomes.
Encouraging Further Research
While the results of this study are promising, further research with larger sample sizes and diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings and explore other effective treatment modalities. Practitioners are encouraged to stay informed about the latest research and consider participating in studies to contribute to the growing body of evidence in this field.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Spelling Proficiency of Children with a Resolved Phonological Speech Sound Disorder Treated with an Integrated Approach—A Long-Term Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Trial.
