Major focus area

Speech Therapy -> Expressive Language

Short description

Focused stimulation is a hybrid intervention approach in which the adult arranges the context of interactions so that the child is exposed to and tempted (not forced) to produce utterances containing specific language targets (Cleave & Fey, 1997; Fey, 1986; Girolametto, et al, 1996).

Long description

Focused stimulation is a hybrid intervention approach in which the adult arranges the context of interactions so that the child is exposed to and tempted (not forced) to produce utterances containing specific language targets (Cleave & Fey, 1997; Fey, 1986; Girolametto, et al, 1996). The child is supported in that the adult provides a very high density of models of the language target within meaningful activities (usually play). This approach is effective for improving both comprehension and production. An example of focused stimulation: while playing with toy cars, the adult models the words “car, race, fast, slow, crash” for the child to hear and hopefully imitate and produce. Another example: while playing with a baby doll, the adult models the present progressive tense (e.g., he is sleeping, he is crying, etc.).