Effectiveness of the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol for Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Comorbidities When Delivered in a Dyadic and Group Format

Abstract

Purpose: The current study is a Phase I clinical study with the goal of determining feasibility and the effectiveness of the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and comorbidities. We hypothesized that K-SLP intervention would result in improved outcomes and maintenance of treatment effect at 3–4 months postintervention. Method: Single-subject experimental design with multiple baselines across behaviors was replicated across a group of six children. Five out of six participants completed the study. The K-SLP intervention was administered in dyads four times a week for three consecutive weeks. Outcomes included assessment of word/syllable shapes, articulation accuracy, speech intelligibility, and functional communication. Treatment progress was measured through: (a) the administration of custom probe word lists and (b) assessments carried out at pretreatment, immediately following intervention and approximately 3–4 months after the study period. Results: Four out of five participants demonstrated significant improvements to words targeted in treatment and three out of five generalized these to untreated words. Furthermore, three out of five participants showed immediate and clinically significant posttreatment improvements in speech intelligibility and functional outcomes, and this increased to four out of five participants at 3–4 months follow-up. Conclusions: The study provides preliminary support for the effectiveness of the K-SLP program when delivered in dyads to children with CAS with comorbidities. The study replicates earlier findings and reaffirms the positive outcomes of K-SLP for children with CAS.