A Brief Parent-Coaching Package for Tiered Language Interventions

Abstract

This study utilized a brief coaching package to train parents to support their children’s language development in home environments. Two parents of dual language learners were trained to use naturalistic language strategies that ranged in complexity. Parents participated in individual training sessions targeting three strategies: narration, imitation, and environmental arrangement and responding. A multiple baseline design across behaviors replicated across parent–child dyads was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the brief coaching package. Therapeutically accelerating data in a baseline condition affected interpretation of results for one dyad, while the package demonstrated effectiveness for the other dyad. Concomitant increases in children’s use of English language during sessions was also observed. Multi-level models were used to estimate the moderating effect of parent engagement in naturalistic language strategies on children’s vocal initiations. Implications for home-based service providers are presented.