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Intervention in Written and Spoken Language Alterations

Code: 101706
Credits: 9
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Speech therapy OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Mario Figueroa González
Email :
mario.figueroa@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Students will require previous knowledge of the following subject: Language disorders and evaluation of the acquisition of oral and written language.

 

Good communicative and spelling skills are important. It is also recommended to be able to read studies in English on topics related to the contents of the subject.

Objectives

Carrying out the intervention in a child with an evolutionary difficulty in oral and written language, will require decisions on which objectives to work and how to prioritize them and sequence them throughout the entire development process. Students will also have to design the intervention, selecting the activities, the materials and the aid necessary for children to construct language. This decision-making process on what and how to work requires having some knowledge which is provided by the content of this subject. Students will also need to recover other knowledge already studied in previous subjects. How to specify all the knowledge, new and old, to design and perform the intervention, will be covered.

Our work, however, cannot take place in an isolated context. It is necessary to place it in the context of the child's daily life so that the results of the intervention are generalized towards a wider set of people and situations. For that reason, it is necessary to participate in the natural environment of the child: the family and the school. You will have to enhance this participation and, in some cases, create it so that it can be carried out properly.

The purpose of the subject is to provide the necessary tools that you as a future speech therapist can use in the evolutionary difficulties of oral and written language and mathematics. The proposed objectives are:

  • Understand theoretical models of intervention in oral and written language and mathematics.
  • Know the theoretical contributions that will allow you to decide what and how to intervene, depending on the levels of the language and children's difficulties.
  • Prioritize and sequence the objectives of the intervention.
  • Analyse intervention processes.
  • Prepare intervention programmes for the difficulties of oral and written language and mathematics.
  • Reflect on the variables that influence the treatment.
  • Understanding the work of the speech therapist from the perspective of multidisciplinary.
  • Prepare counselling programs for families and schools.
  • Prepare speech therapy reports.

Learning outcomes

  • CM11 (Assess the response to the intervention in cases with oral and written language alterations.) Assess the response to the intervention in cases with oral and written language alterations.
  • KM19 (Identify situations that require referral to other specialists and completion of treatment.) Identify situations that require referral to other specialists and completion of treatment.
  • KM20 (Explain the objectives, techniques and appropriate resources to develop a speech therapy treatment with alterations in oral or written language acquisition.) Explain the objectives, techniques and appropriate resources to develop a speech therapy treatment with alterations in oral or written language acquisition.
  • SM17 (Design a speech therapy intervention plan for different practical cases with alterations in oral or written language acquisition or learning.) Design a speech therapy intervention plan for different practical cases with alterations in oral or written language acquisition or learning.
  • SM18 (Prepare in writing a diagnosis and the consequent intervention for a case with alterations in oral or written language acquisition or learning.) Prepare in writing a diagnosis and the consequent intervention for a case with alterations in oral or written language acquisition or learning.

Contents

  1. Intervention in oral and written language: General aspects.
  2. Models of intervention.
  3. Speech therapist in oral and written language intervention.
  4. Oral language intervention:
  5. Different linguistic domains and communicative skills.
  6. Selection, prioritization and sequencing of the aims: What, when and why?
  7. Intervention techniques, strategies, activities and materials: How? Prioritization and sequencing of objectives. Activities and materials. Strategies for intervention. Evidence-based practice in different language disorders or difficulties.
  8. Where and with whom? The intervention setting and working with other professionals: Speech therapy, family and school counselling.
  9. Intervention in written language difficulties:
  10. Reading: From decoding to comprehension of written language.
  11. Writing: From encoding to structuring a text.
  12. Selection, prioritization and sequencing of intervention objectives: What, when and why?
  13. Intervention techniques, strategies, activities and materials: How? Prioritization and sequencing of objectives. Activities and materials. Strategies for intervention. Evidence-based practice in literacy disorders or difficulties.
  14. Where and with whom? The intervention setting and working with other professionals: Speech therapy, family and school counselling.
  15. Intervention for dyscalculia.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Joint discussion of practical cases in grup 2 0.08
Teoric classes 39 1.56
Intervention projects 54 2.16
Seminars of small groups for the elaboration of intervention projects 26 1.04
Autonom study 80 3.2
Tutorials in small groups 13 0.52
Training activities 2 0.08


At the methodological level, the subject will require individual work of compulsory readings and carrying out practical activities. But being a very practical subject, it will be important to work on a group of cases and analyses with joint discussion. Therefore, the subject will be carried out through lectures, cooperative work, practical sessions, group tutorials, case studies, reading articles, everything organized in three types of teaching activities: theoretical classes, discussion seminars and intervention project development seminars.

Attendance at seminars of small groups for the production of intervention projects is NOT mandatory, but it will be assessed. It will be obligatory to do the practical activities (EV3).

Note: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree program, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
EV4. Classroom activities 10% 2 0.08 CM11, KM19, KM20, SM17, SM18
EV1. Exam 1 25% 1.5 0.06 KM19, KM20
EV3. Presentations of reports and intervention projects 40% 4 0.16 CM11, SM17, SM18
EV2. Exam 2 25% 1.5 0.06 KM19, KM20



Código Evidencia Denomination Weight Format (oral, written, or both) Authorship (individual, collective, or both) Method (in-person, virtual, or both)
EV1 Theoretical and practical evaluation 25% Written Individual In-person
EV2 Theoretical and practical evaluation 25% Written Individual In-person
EV3A Preparation of a report (oral language) 10% Written Collective In-person
EV3B Preparation of an intervention (oral language) 10% Oral Collective In-person
EV3C Preparation of a report and an intervention (written language or mathematics) 20% Both Collective In-person
EV4 Classroom activities 10% Both Both Both



The assessment system is organized into four evaluation activities:

  • EV1: Evaluation of the first part of the syllabus related to oral language (theory and practice), with a weight of 25% of the final grade (2.5 points). It will take place in person during the first assessment period.
  • EV2: Evaluation of the second part of the syllabus, mainly related to written language and calculation (theory and practice), with a weight of 25% of the final grade (2.5 points). It will take place in person during the second assessment period.
  • EV3A: Preparation of a report related to oral language difficulties, with a weight of 10% of the final grade (1.0 point). It will be submitted during weeks 5–6.
  • EV3B: Development of an intervention related to oral language difficulties, with a weight of 10% of the final grade (1.0 point). A group intervention project will be presented during week 10.
  • EV3C: Preparation of a report and an intervention related to difficulties in written language or calculation, with a weight of 20% of the final grade (2.0 points). A group intervention project will be presented during the second assessment period.
  • EV4: Participation and submission of class activities such as case resolutions, report drafts, activity preparation, development of guidelines for families and schools, etc. It will have a weight of 10% of the final grade (1.0 point). These will be submitted throughout the semester during class sessions.


The grades for EV1, EV2, EV3A, EV3B, and EV3C must be equal to or higher than 5.0 to pass the course; therefore, these components are compulsory and must be passed. If any of these components are not submitted or passed, the maximum final grade for the course will be 4.5.


At the end of the course, students who have not passed may take a resit assessment for EV1, EV2, and EV3 components that were not passed. The maximum grade for the resit part will be 5.0 points.

The format of the resit will be the same as the failed component.


The feedback will be as follows:

Type of Feedback EV and TYPE WEEK
Written EV2 19-20
Digital tool EV3A and EV3C 7-8 and 19-20, respectively
In class EV1, EV3B and EV4. EV1 and EV3B: 10. EV4 when the activities are done in the classroom.
One-on-one sessions



The submission of translated versions of in-person assessment tests will be allowed if the requirements established in Article 263 are met and the request is made electronically (e-form) during week 4. More information is available on the faculty website.


Resit assessments: students who have not met the criteria to pass the course may sit some resit assessments, provided they have previously been evaluated in a set of activities whose combined weight is at least two-thirds of the total course grade.

After the resit, the course will be considered passed when the grades for EV1, EV2, and EV3 are equal to or higher than 5.0, and the overall course average is equal to or higher than 5.0.

The course will be considered failed when the grades for EV1, EV2, and EV3 are below 5.0. When a student has submitted learning evidence amounting to 4.0 points or more (40%), they cannot be listed as “not assessed.”

Students enrolled for the second time or more will not be assessed through a single non-recoverable comprehensive test.

https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html

This course offers the option of single assessment.


SINGLE ASSESSMENT

It will take place on the same day as EV2. Students must complete EV1 and submit the rest of the practical assessment components, which in the case of single assessment will be individual, as well as give an oral presentation of the project.

The maximum duration of the single assessment will be 5 hours.

The single assessment must be requested electronically (e-form) within the specified period (more information on the faculty website).


USE OF AI

For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction, or translations. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in partial or total penalties in the activity’s grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Bibliography

Some examples of recommended readings that will be referenced in the course are:

 

Paul, R. (2024). Language Disorders from Infancy through Adolescence. Assessment & Intervention. Mosby.

Pérez, E. (2018). Diagnóstico e intervención en la dislexia, la disortografia y la disgrafia. Lebón.

Pérez, E. (2013). Diagnóstico e intervención de las dificultades evolutivas del Lenguaje Oral. Lebón. 

 

SUPPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY

Acosta, V. (2012). La intervención logopédica en los trastornos específicos del lenguaje. Revista de Logopedia, Foniatria y Audiologia, 32, 67-74.

Calder, S. D., Claessen, M., Ebbels, S., & Leitão, S. (2020). Explicit grammar intervention in young school-aged children with Developmental Language Disorder: An efficacy study using single-case experimental design. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 51(2), 298–316. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_LSHSS-19-00060

Cirrin, F. M., & Gillam, R. B. (2008). Language intervention practices for school-age children with spoken language disorders: A systematic review. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.1044/0161-1461(2008/012)

Cummings, A., Hallgrimson, J., & Robinson, S. (2018). Speech intervention outcomes associated with word lexicality and intervention intensity. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 50(1), 83–98. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_LSHSS-18-0026

Escorcia Mora, C. T., García Sánchez, F. A., Orcajada Sánchez, N., & Sánchez López, M. C. (2016). Perspectiva de las prácticas de atención temprana centradas en la familia desde la logopedia. Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología, 36(4), 170–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RLFA.2016.07.002

Finestack, L. H., & Satterlund, K. E. (2018). Current practice of child grammar intervention: A survey of speech-language pathologists. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(4), 1329–1351. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-17-0168

Frizelle, P., Tolonen, A. K., Tulip, J., Murphy, C. A., Saldana, D., & McKean, C. (2021). The impact of intervention dose form on oral language outcomes for children with Developmental Language Disorder. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 64(8), 3253–3288. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-20-00734

Gillam, S. L., Gillam, R. B., Magimairaj, B. M., Capin, P., Israelsen-Augenstein, M., Roberts, G., & Vaughn, S. (2024). Contextualized, multicomponent language instruction: From theory to randomized controlled trial. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_LSHSS-23-00171

Girolametto, L., Weitzman, E., & Greenberg, J. (2012). Facilitating emergent literacy: Efficacy of a model that partners speech-language pathologists and educators. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21(1), 47–63. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2011/11-0002)

Loeb, D. F., Davis, E. S., & Lee, T. (2021). Collaboration between child play therapy and speech-language pathology: Case reports of a novel language and behavior intervention. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 30(6), 2414–2429. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-20-00310

Marvin, C. A., & Privratsky, A. J. (1999). After-school talk: The effects of materials sent home from preschool. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 8(3), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360.0803.231

Pepper, J., & Weitzman, E. (2004). It Takes Two To Talk: A Practical Guide For Parents of Children With Language Delay. Hanen Centre.

Ruston, H. P., & Schwanenflugel, P. J. (2010). Effects of a conversation intervention on the expressivevocabulary development of prekindergarten children. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 41(3), 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1044/0161-1461(2009/08-0100)

Weitzman, E., & Greenberg, J. (2020).  Learning Language and Loving It : A Guide to Promoting Children’s Social, Language, & Literacy Development in Early Childhood Settings. Hanen Centre.

Weitzman, E., & Greenberg, J. (2010).  ABC and Beyond: Building Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Settings. Hanen Centre.

Software

No aplicable.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 111 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 112 Catalan first semester morning-mixed