Major focus area

Speech Therapy -> Expressive Language

Short description

Environmental Language Intervention Strategy (ELIS) is an intervention method for preschool children in which the SLP employs structured, direct treatment strategies using a semantic approach to teaching grammar (Hegde, 2008; MacDonald, et al. 1974).

Long description

Environmental Language Intervention Strategy (ELIS) is an intervention method for preschool children in which the SLP employs structured, direct treatment strategies using a semantic approach to teaching grammar.

Method: Establish baselines of selected target language structures. Train parents to record responses; administer treatment program, and behavioral contingencies.

Treatment session has 3 phases:
1. Imitation: First 10-15 minutes of session is imitative productions. Present a nonlinguistic stimuli (throw a ball) and then present a linguistic stimuli (Say, throw ball).
2. Conversation: Next 10 to 15 minutes is conversational speech: present the same nonlinguistic stimuli and ask a question (What am I doing?) Model if necessary (Say, throw ball. What am I doing?)
3. Play: Final 10 to 15 minutes is play activity during which the production of the target behavior is reinforced. Let the child play with the material used in imitation and conversation. Evoke responses from the child that are relevant to the child’s actions. Give positive rein forcers as tokens and verbal praise for correct responses. Give corrective feedback for incorrect productions. Ask parent to conduct at home 3 weekly sessions similar to yours.

Each session, review the records of home training and suggest modification (Hegde, 2008; MacDonald, et al. 1974).