COM 207: Methods of Intervention for Language Disorders

Course Description

This course will focus on language acquisition and development throughout the lifespan. Topics include components of language, theories of language development, sequential acquisition of major components of language, cognitive bases for language, emerging literacy, and clinical application. This course will prepare SLPAs for their role in the assessment and treatment of individuals with language disorders across the lifespan.

(3 credits)

Prerequisite

COM 102: Language and Communication Development

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical, cognitive, and perceptual bases of language development.
Identify semantic, syntactic, morphological, phonological, and pragmatic components of language.
Differentiate among language delays, language disorders, and culturally based language differences.
Distinguish among different approaches to intervention for these disorders, including intervention delivery options, strategy selection, and material preparation.
Analyze observations and case studies, integrating the social/communicative foundations of early language to demonstrate an understanding of typical/atypical developmental sequences for the acquisition of speech and language across various age groups.
Articulate theoretical frameworks pertinent to acquired language disorders such as aphasia and right hemisphere disorders, and effectively apply their knowledge while considering physiological, environmental, and psychosocial factors in the analysis of observations and case studies.

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Discussions (Weeks 1-15)	25%
Quizzes (Weeks 1-14)	25%
Assignments (Weeks 1-15)	25%
Final / Key Assessment (Week 15)	25%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

Owens, Robert E. Language Disorders: A Functional Approach to Assessment and Intervention in Children. 7^th Plural Publishing, 2024. Print ISBN-13: 9781635504132. eText ISBN-13: 978163550414
Robb, Michael P. Intro: A Guide to Communication Science Disorders. 4^th Plural Publishing, 2025. Print ISBN-13:9781635504767. EText ISBN-13: 9781635504385
N. Hedge. Hedge’s Pocket Guide to Treatment in Speech-Language Pathology. 4^th ed. Plural Publishing, 2018. eText ISBN-13:9781944883133

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	2	Topic: Components of Language & Theories of Language Development Read A Functional Language Approach (Owens, 2024), Chapter 1 View Five Components of Language [Video] (Davey, 2018) View What is Syntax? [Video] (Mometrix Academy, 2018) View What is Morphology? Explained in Easy Terms [Video] (Goally Apps, 2023) View Language Structures: Understanding Semantics – Part 1 [Video] (Digilio, 2024) View What is Pragmatic Language? [Video] (Child Mind Institute, 2013) Review Summary of Understanding Reading as a Form of Language-Use: A Language Game Hypothesis (PDF) (Wallot, 2016) Review Components of Oral Language Development [Video] (Mometrix, 2025) Review Stages of Language Development Chart (Kid Sense) Review What is Language? School-Aged Language-Development (Speech and Language Resources, 2011) Review Handy Handout 561: Brown’s Stages (Dahl, Natalie, n.d.)	Review Getting Started information Review course syllabus Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Language Components and Theories of Development Analysis and Application
2	1	Topic: An Overview of Language Development Read Speech and Language Developmental Milestones (National Institutes of Health) Read General Language Development (PDF) (State of Indiana) Read Seven Stages of Communication and Language Development from Learning Language and Loving It(PDF) (Weitzman, E., 1992) Read Normal Developmental Sequence of Expressive Language (PDF) (Bloom & Lahey) Read A Baby’s Language Development: Turn-Taking (Georgia Pathway, 2013) View Language Development: Children 0–8 Years [Video] (raisingchildren.net.au) View Science Bulletins: Language in the Brain [Video] (American Museum of Natural History, 2009) View Preschool – Narrative Skills [Video] (Edmonton Public Library, 2010) View Language: The First 5 Years of Life of Learning [Video] (Sprouts, 2019) View Language Development [Video] (CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, 2023) Review Language Development in Children's Needs III: Development, Prevention, and Intervention (pp. 499–514) (PDF) (Brandone, Salkind, Golinkoff, & Hirsh-Pasek, 2006)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Speech vs. Language: Understanding the Difference and the Five Domains
3	3	Topic: An Overview of Childhood Language Delays and Differences Read Foundations of Early Childhood Special Education (Owens, 2024), Chapter 8 View Is It a Language Delay, Language Disorder, or Language Difference? [Video] (EITP Illinois, 2015) View What is Code-Switching? Between the Lines [Video] (HuffPost, 2019) Review Late Language Emergence (ASHA, n.d.) Review Late Blooming or Language Problem? (ASHA, n.d.) Review Code-switching: The Pressure on People to Change How They Speak (Queen Mary University of London, 2022) Review Linguistic Code-Switching: What it Is and Why it Happens (United Language Group) Review The Difference Between a Delay and a Disorder (Allison Fors, 2024)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Exploring Language Differences: Delays, Disorders, and Culture
4	3,5	Topic: An Overview of Language Disorders Read Language Disorders (Owens, 2024), Chapter 2 Read Brown’s Stages (Dahl, n.d.) View An Introduction to Developmental Language Disorders for Speech‑Language Pathologists [Video] (RADLD, 2024) View Social Communication Disorder: What Is It and How to Help! [Video] (Red Door Pediatric Therapy, 2023) Review Spoken Language Disorders (ASHA, n.d.) Review Written Language Disorders (ASHA, n.d.) Review Evidence Maps: Spoken Language Disorders (ASHA, n.d.) Review Evidence Maps: Written Language Disorders (ASHA, n.d.) Review Social Communication Disorder (ASHA, n.d.) Review Developmental Language Disorder (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.) Review Developmental Language Disorder: Case Study (Chatterbug, 2022)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Case Study: DLD and SCD
5	6	Topic: Neurogenic Language Disorders ReadNeurogenic Language Disorders (Robb, 2025), Chapter 9 View Doctor Explains Aphasia – Definitions, Symptoms, Causes, Investigations [Video] (Dr. O’Donovan, 2022) View Aphasia Types, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment [Video] (JJ Medicine, 2023) View Broca’s Aphasia (Non‑fluent Aphasia) [Video] (TactusTherapy, 2018) View Fluent Aphasia [Video] (TactusTherapy, 2016) View Global Aphasia [Video] (Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, 2024) View Conduction Aphasia [Video] (Sierra Speech, 2018) View What is Aphasia – Broca’s and Transcortical Motor Aphasia (Non‑fluent Aphasia) [Video] (Sierra Speech, 2018) View Transcortical Sensory Aphasia – Moderate [Video] (Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, 2024) Review Aphasia (ASHA, n.d.) Review Right Hemisphere Disorder (ASHA, n.d.) Review Aphasia and the Diagram Makers Revisited: An Update of Information Processing Models. Journal of Clinical Neurology, 2 (September), 149–162. (Heilman, K.M., 2006) (PDF) Review What Is Aphasia? (National Aphasia Association, n.d.) Review Aphasia Visual Infographic: Aphasia Types (Reddit) (JPEG)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Case Study - Understanding Aphasia
6	3,4	Topic: Acquired Language Disorders-Interventions Review How to Do Constraint-Induced Language Therapy (Adult Speech Therapy) Review Person-Centered Focus on Function – Aphasia(ASHA, n.d.) Review Life Participation Approach to Aphasia: A Statement of Values for the Future (The ASHA Leader Archive, Chapey et al., 2000) Review Summary of Executive Functions Training Improves Language Abilities in Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review (Journal of Personalized Medicine, Culicetto et al., 2025) (PDF) Review Promoting Aphasics’ Communication Effectiveness (PACE) (Basilakos, n.d.) (PDF – The Medical SLP Collective) Review Impairment and Functional Interventions for Aphasia: Having It All (Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports, Galletta & Barrett, 2014) Review Script Training for Aphasia (Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now) Review Stroke Rehabilitation in Adults (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2023) Review Summary of Application of the ICF in Aphasia (Seminars in Speech and Language, Simmons-Mackie & Kagan, 2007) (PDF) Review Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) for Severe Aphasia and Apraxia (Tactus Therapy) Review Promoting Aphasics’ Communication Effectiveness (PACE) (The Aphasia Library) Review How is Aphasia Treated? (The Aphasia Library) Review Summary of Auditory Comprehension Interventions for People with Aphasia: A Scoping Review (American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Wallace et al., 2022) (PDF)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Neurogenic Disorders and Treatment
7	1,2,3,5	Topic: Childhood Language Disorders Week 1 Read Child Language Disorders (Robb, 2025), Chapter 3 Read How to Use Play to Promote Language Development (Clark, C., n.d.) (PDF – The Speech Therapy Solution) Read Speech and Language Development Chart (Gard, A., Gilman, L., & Gorman, J., n.d.) (PDF – Pro-Ed) Read A Scale for Assessing Development of Children’s Play (Westby, C.E., 2000) in Play Diagnosis and Assessment (PDF – Wiley) Read Bloom and Lahey Model: Normal Developmental Sequence of Expressive Language (Vernelson, S., 2009) (PDF – FIRST YEARS) View Language Disorders Video Series [Video Series] (Children’s Wisconsin) Review Summary of Long-Term Effects of Early Communication Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Pak, 2023) (PDF)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Identifying Components of Language
8	1,2,5	Topic: Childhood Language Disorders Week 2 Read The How and Why of Collecting a Language Sample (Prath, S., 2018) Read Brown’s Stages – Mean Length of Utterance Chart (Miller, 1981) (PDF) Read Roger Brown’s (1973) Rules for Counting Morphemes from A First Language: The Early Stages (Brown, R., 1973, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) (PDF) Read A Comparison Between Three Methods of Language Sampling: Freeplay, Narrative Speech, and Conversation. Iranian Rehabilitation, 9(14), 4–9. (Mirsaleh, Y.R., Abdi, K., Rezai, H., & Aboutorabi, K.P., 2011) (PDF) Read Mean Length of Utterance (Williamson, G., 2009) (PDF – SLT Info) View The 5 Essential Language Sample Pieces and How to Easily Write One Up [Video] (Bilinguistics Speech Therapy-TV, 2025) View Language Sampling Tool for SLPs [Video] (Bilinguistics Speech Therapy-TV, 2024) View Eliciting Language Samples for Analysis – Toddler [Video] (Center for Autism Research Excellence) View MLU (Mean Length of Utterance) [Video] (Grammatical Development, 2025)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Brown’s Grammatical Morphemes
9	3,5	Topic: Language Disorders Associated with Other Disorders Read Language Disorders Associated with Other Disorders (Owens, 2024), Chapter 3 Review Childhood Apraxia of Speech – Signs and Symptoms (ASHA, n.d.) Review Autism Spectrum Disorder – Signs and Symptoms (ASHA, n.d.) Review Intellectual Disability – Signs and Symptoms (ASHA, n.d.) Review Selective Mutism – Signs and Symptoms (ASHA, n.d.) Review Spoken Language Disorders – Signs and Symptoms (ASHA, n.d.) Review Traumatic Brain Injury (Pediatric) – Signs and Symptoms (ASHA, n.d.)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Exploring Language and Communication in Co-Occurring Disorders
10	4	Topic: Early Communication Intervention Read Early Communication Intervention (Owens, 2024),Chapter 4 Review AAC with Energy – Earlier (The ASHA Leader, Davidoff, B., 2017) Review AAC in Early Intervention (Northwest Augmentative Communication Society) Review Building Blocks of Childhood: Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching – A Boost for Children Age 2 (University of Kansas, Simpson, J., 2021) Review Fact Sheet – Incidental Teaching (Florida Atlantic University, n.d.) (PDF) Review How to Conversational Recast with Grammar Therapy (The Dabbling Speechie, 2021) Review Early Language Stimulation Strategies (Language Disorders Australia, n.d.) (PDF)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Early Communication Intervention
11	4	Topic: Functional Language Approaches and Intervention Read A Functional Intervention Model (Owens, 2024), Chapter 9 View How To: Introduction to Functional Communication [Video] (VCU RRTC, 2016) View Setting Person-Centered Functional Goals – Sarah Baar [Video] (MedBridge, 2021) Review Person-Centered Focus on Function: Language Disorders (ASHA, n.d.) (PDF) Review Why SLPs Should Focus on Functional Skills, Too! (Speech Room News, 2023) Review What are Functional Communication Goals for Autism? (Adina ABA, 2025) Review 77 Functional Communication Goals for an IEP (Lightner, L., A Day in Our Shoes) Review The Importance of Maintaining Functional Communication Skills Later in Life (Ben-Aharon, Avivat, 2023 – Great Speech) Review Are Your Goals Helpful or Functional? (The Speech Bubble, 2019)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Designing Functional Intervention Plans
12	4	Topic: Manipulating Context Read Manipulating Context (Owens, 2024), Chapter 10 View Speech Therapy Tips: Language Stimulation Strategies [Video] (LingoRoo, 2019) View Building Children’s Vocabulary with the Focused Stimulation Approach – Tips and Strategies [Video] (The SLT Scrapbook, 2024) Review The Changing View of Input in the Treatment of Children with Grammatical Deficits (American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Leonard & Deevy, 2017) Review Language Stimulation Strategies (The Speaking Mummy) Review Speech and Language Stimulation Techniques and Terminology (BASLPCOURSE.COM, n.d) Review Summary of An Implicit–Explicit Framework for Intervention Methods in Developmental Language Disorder (Baron & Arbel, 2022) (PDF)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Teaching Technique Demonstration and Reflection
13	4	Topic: Specific Intervention Techniques ReadSpecific Intervention Techniques (Owens, 2024), Chapter 11 Review Treatment Principles for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ASHA, n.d.) Review How to Help a Child Repair a Communication Breakdown (Speech and Language Kids, n.d.) Review Empowering Communication: Strategies for Promoting Language Skills in Children with Intellectual Disabilities (J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center, 2024) Review Narrative Intervention: Principles to Practice (Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, Spencer & Petersen, 2020) Review Evidence-Based Interventions: Context Clues (Allison, N., Speech Peeps, 2016) Review Recasting as an Intervention for Language Development (EJ Therapy, n.d.)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Language Intervention Plan
14	4	Topic: Classroom Interventions Read Classroom Functional Intervention (Owens, 2024), Chapter 12 Review Summary of Functional Communication Training: A Review and Practice Guide (Tiger, Hanley, & Brujek, 2008) (PDF) Review Curriculum-Based Language Interventions: What, Who, Why, Where, & How? (Language, Speech, & Hearing Services in Schools, Meaux & Norris, 2018) Review How Do I Do That: A Peek at a Curriculum-Based Lesson (SLP Now, n.d.) Review How SLPs and Teachers Can Collaborate Effectively (Communication Community, n.d.) Review A Cooperative Approach: SLPs Turn to Classroom Teachers for Support (Stone, 2022) Review Summary of An Implicit–Explicit Framework for Intervention Methods in Developmental Language Disorder (Baron & Arbel, 2022) (PDF)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Designing and Justifying a Classroom-Based Language Support Plan
15	4	Topic: Literacy-Based Disorders and Intervention Read Literacy Impairments: Language in a Visual Mode (Owens, 2024) Chapter 13 View What Do Speech Sound Disorders Mean for Language and Literacy? (The Informed SLP, 2025) View Evidence-Based Practices for Writing Instruction \| 2024 Literacy Symposium [Video] (PaTTAN, 2024) View A Classwide Reading Intervention that Works \| 2022 Literacy Symposium [Video] (PaTTAN, 2022) Review Summary of The Relationship Between Speech-Language Impairments and Reading Disabilities (Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, Catts, H.W., 1993) (PDF) Review Language Difficulties Are a Shared Risk Factor for Both Reading Disorder and Mathematics Disorder (Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Snowling, Moll, & Hulme, 2021) Review What Is Guided Oral Reading? (Reading Rockets, n.d.)	Complete assigned readings/videos Review the lecture material Participate in the discussions Complete and submit Quiz Complete and submit Assignment - Language-Based Reading and Writing Interventions Complete Final Project - Early Language Concerns: Case Study, Analysis and Interv Complete Course Evaluation

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