November 30, 2024

Caregivers’ insights into supporting their late talkers using a Hanen® Parent Program

Congratulations Sarah Bartlett - whose manuscript from her Graduate Certificate has just been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.

Here are the details: Bartlett, S. & McLeod, S. (2024, in press). Caregivers’ insights into supporting their late talkers using Target Word™ Hanen® Parent Program.  International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.

Here is the abstract: 

Purpose. To explore caregivers’ experiences and engagement during the 16-week Target Word™ Hanen Program® for Parents program designed to support late talkers.
Method. Qualitative interpretative description (ID) methodology was used to understand the experience of five caregivers who had completed Target Word™ to support their children (aged 18-36 months). Caregivers attended a focus group to share their perspectives. Transcripts of these focus groups were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Result. Two themes were identified. Firstly, that caregivers described explicit roles for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to support their engagement over time: in the beginning (clarify expectations), middle (enable caregiver to link changes in their behaviour to positive child outcomes) and final (empowered caregivers) phases of the intervention. Secondly, that caregiver engagement in learning is individual, influenced by (a) individual needs and expectations, (b) active engagement during key learning moments, (c) influence of the broader environment.
Conclusion. Each caregiver participating in Target Word™ experienced unique engagement journeys over the course of the program. SLPs can explicitly facilitate engagement at each phase of Target Word™ to promote active engagement for learning and ultimately caregiver empowerment to support their children’s language growth.

Here is a photo of Sarah and I wearing our academic gowns this week. CSU changed their graduation dates in 2024 - and I was unavailable on the new dates. It was great to celebrate Sarah's graduation and accomplishments in Bathurst.