Speech and language therapists (SLTs) play a crucial role in addressing communication challenges in children. A recent study titled
Achieving ‘coherence’ in routine practice: a qualitative case-based study to describe speech and language therapy interventions with implementation in mind sheds light on how SLTs can achieve coherence when implementing new interventions. This blog aims to provide actionable insights from this research to help practitioners improve their skills and outcomes for children.
Understanding Coherence in SLT Interventions
Coherence, as defined by Normalisation Process Theory (NPT), involves making sense of a new intervention in relation to routine practice. The study found that achieving coherence requires intellectual, logistical, and relational work. Here’s how you can apply these findings to your practice:
Intellectual Work: Understanding Non-Traditional Interventions
Non-traditional interventions often challenge the traditional linguistic assumptions that underpin routine practice. To integrate these interventions effectively:
- Invest time in understanding the theoretical basis of new interventions.
- Engage in professional development to stay updated on emerging evidence-based practices.
- Reflect on how these interventions differ from your current practices and what benefits they might bring.
Logistical Work: Adapting to New Formats and Dosages
The study highlighted that logistical elements such as the location, format, and dosage of interventions can significantly impact coherence. To manage these elements:
- Be flexible in adapting to different settings, whether it’s a clinic, school, or home environment.
- Consider group sessions or involving parents more actively in the intervention process.
- Experiment with varying the dosage of interventions to find what works best for each child.
Relational Work: Communicating with Children and Parents
Effective communication is key to achieving coherence, especially when introducing non-traditional interventions. To enhance relational work:
- Develop a shared language to explain interventions to children and parents.
- Use scaffolding techniques to support the child’s progress and keep them engaged.
- Tailor your approach to meet the individual needs of each child and their family.
Framework for Implementing Non-Routine Interventions
The study presents an intervention coherence framework with three inter-related parts:
- Ten changeable elements of child speech intervention.
- Binary contextual characteristics that impact coherence work.
- Main types of work required: theoretical, logistical, and relational.
This framework can serve as a heuristic tool to aid decision-making and planning around implementation.
Conclusion
Achieving coherence in speech and language therapy interventions is a complex but essential task. By understanding and addressing the intellectual, logistical, and relational aspects of coherence work, SLTs can improve the implementation of non-routine interventions and create better outcomes for children. To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Achieving ‘coherence’ in routine practice: a qualitative case-based study to describe speech and language therapy interventions with implementation in mind.
