Language Intervention within Naturalistic Environments

Abstract
As language intervention becomes more naturalistic and interactive, it is important that organization and systematicity be maintained within therapy. Speech-language pathologists must be clear in the goals and objectives that are established, and in the methods that are used to facilitate the emergence of these language behaviors. Yet naturalistic therapy depends to a large extent upon the spontaneously occurring events, utterances, and communicative situations that arise in the context of play, daily routines, and instructional activities. This article discusses general principles of intervention that impose organization within naturalistic interactions. The general structure of the intervention process will be presented, including strategies for controlling for activity and response complexity, techniques for facilitating a communicative response, and methods for providing natural consequences. Goals and objectives that can be used to quantify the results of intervention are also discussed.

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