Date of Award
5-2016
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Communication Sciences and Disorders: M.S.
Department
Communication Sciences and Disorders
College
School of Health and Human Services
First Advisor
Dr. Sarah Smits-Bandstra
Second Advisor
Dr. Rebecca Crowell
Third Advisor
Dr. Amy Knopf
Keywords and Subject Headings
Baby Sign, Language Development, At-Risk, Low Socioeconomic Background, Multi-Cultural, Linguistically Diverse
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to examine the effect of exposure to symbolic gestures or “Baby Sign” on the development of joint attention, receptive and expressive language of children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, including culturally/linguistically diverse children aged 9 to 20 months. Two child-parent dyads participated in the program. Both were enrolled in the local “Head Start” (Reach-Up) program. The MacArthur Bates, Preschool Language Scales-4 (PLS-4) and video-recorded interactions with the primary caregiver were used to assess the effectiveness of Baby Sign parent-training to facilitate early language development. Results of the Preschool Language Scales-4 and the MacArthur Bates identified improved both receptive and expressive language in “at risk” (low socioeconomic and culturally diverse backgrounds) infants exposed to Baby Sign. In addition, qualitative data collected by parent interview revealed significant barriers to service delivery for early language facilitation, particularly for culturally/linguistically diverse children from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Sarah S., "The Effect of Baby Sign on Early Language Development for "At-Risk" Populations" (2016). Culminating Projects in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 3.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/csd_etds/3
