Speech sound disorder is one of the most common communication disorders in children and can involve challenges with the perception, production, and phonological representation of speech sounds. Children from economically disadvantaged and rural communities face access and quality barriers to speech-language services, putting them at a greater risk of negative educational, socioemotional, and economic and employment outcomes. UVB is a promising treatment for speech sound disorder but remains underutilized by speech pathologists in under-resourced, rural schools, likely due to service delivery constraints. With this grant, Raaz and colleagues will interview at least 15 school-based professionals (e.g., speech-language pathologists and assistants, teachers, administrators) and policymakers and at least 12 children with speech sound disorder across 10 schools in northern Colorado to assess their needs and perspectives, as well as the barriers and facilitators to UVB implementation in rural settings. Next, the team will supplement qualitative data with theoretical models to develop tailored strategies and implementation materials to address UVB delivery barriers, such as time and training constraints. Finally, the team will use a multiple baseline design and post-intervention interviews to assess initial implementation outcomes (e.g., feasibility, acceptability, adoption, fidelity) of the adapted model and change indicators among a small number of participating students and schools.
How can an ultrasound visual biofeedback (UVB) model be adapted to support the treatment of speech sound disorder for children in rural, economically disadvantaged communities? What strategies are needed to facilitate implementation and support preliminary effectiveness outcomes?
