The Effect of Early Language Intervention on Children with Developmental Language Disorders: A Case Study

Abstract

The first three years of life are a critical period for development. Environmentalstimuli have positive effects on the development of speech and language.Language skills involve the development of expressive and receptive skillsamong children. Speech and language disorders during childhood haveimportant negative outcomes in the life of the child. Therefore, early detectionof children at risk in the preliminary phases of development and implementingearly intervention for them are very important. In this case study, the effectsof early language intervention in children with a developmental languagedisorder (DLD) was investigated. A twenty-seven-month-old child diagnosedwith an autism spectrum disorder )ASD) was evaluated in this case study.Occupation and speech therapy was performed for him. Results showed that theearly intervention was essential for improving the child’s communication, andproper environmental stimuli could prevent possible problems in the future. Inaddition, the results revealed that child professionals should not adopt a “waitand see” attitude for improving development.

Keywords

• early intervention
• child
• language development disorders
• autism spectrum disorders