| dc.description.abstract | It is common for toddlers under the age of 3 to have language delays, though few studies have focused on improving communication within this population. Enhanced Milieu Teaching paired with Words + Signs is an evidence-based practice that has been used to increase communication in toddlers by targeting functional communication skills during play and routines. Combining both interventions, EMT and Words + Signs, creates multiple pathways of communication for toddlers by using both signs and spoken word. EMT has been used primarily with children with Autism and Down Syndrome and was designed primarily for parents. Building upon previous research, this study implemented EMT Words + Signs in the classroom during free play to two toddlers with language delays and their classroom teachers. A multiple baseline design across word sets was used to measure participants’ use of target words, as well as the frequency of spontaneous words used in each session. Findings show that there was a presence of a functional relation for both participants between target word use and EMT Words + Signs. Data on spontaneous total word use and target word use were also consistently higher during intervention sessions than during baseline sessions. Data were inconsistent during generalization and maintenance sessions, though some words were maintained for each participant to a variable degree. | en_US |
