Introduction
The global landscape of speech-language pathology has seen significant shifts, particularly with the advent of telepractice. With an increased interest in involving diverse children in research and clinical services, telepractice has emerged as a viable solution, especially during situations where in-person assessments are challenging, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the feasibility, reliability, and validity of conducting language samples via telepractice remain underexplored.
Study Overview
Recent research aimed to bridge this gap by comparing child language samples recorded in person and via video chat. This study involved 46 dyads who completed video chat language samples and 16 who completed in-person samples. A subset of 13 dyads completed both types, allowing for comprehensive within-subject analyses. The study's primary focus was to evaluate whether video chat language samples could yield data comparable to traditional in-person methods.
Key Findings
The results were promising. The number of usable samples and the percentage of utterances with intelligible audio signals did not significantly differ between in-person and video chat methods. Additionally, child speech and language characteristics such as mean length of utterance, type-token ratio, and child speech intelligibility showed no significant differences between the two methods. This consistency was observed in both between-group analyses and within-child comparisons.
Implications for Practice
The study underscores the potential of telepractice as a reliable method for collecting child language samples. This approach can enhance accessibility for children in rural or underserved areas, where traditional in-person assessments may not be feasible due to logistical or economic constraints. By leveraging commercially available video chat software, speech-language pathologists can reach a broader demographic, ensuring that diverse children receive the assessments they need.
Best Practices for Telepractice Language Sampling
- Engage with parents before the session to set expectations and provide necessary information.
- Ensure the session takes place in a quiet, indoor environment without distractions.
- Advise parents on suitable toys to use, avoiding noisy or electronic items.
- Conduct a test call to resolve any technical issues before the actual session.
- Encourage the use of Wi-Fi or Ethernet over cellular data to improve connection quality.
Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into the viability of telepractice for child language sampling. The findings suggest that video chat methods can be as effective as in-person assessments, offering a flexible and accessible alternative for speech-language pathologists. As the demand for remote assessments grows, further research is essential to refine these methods and ensure they meet the diverse needs of all children.
For more information, please follow this link.
