To Game or Not to Game? Efficacy of Using Tablet Games in Vocabulary Intervention for Children with DLD

Authors Rob Zwitserlood, Marjan ter Harmsel, Johanna Schulting, Karin Wiefferink, Ellen Gerrits
Published in Applied Sciences
Publication date 2022
Research groups Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie
Type Article

Summary

The adoption of tablets by young children has raised enthusiasm and concern among speech and language pathologists. This study investigated whether tablet games can be used as effectively as real play objects in vocabulary intervention for children with developmental language disorder (DLD). A randomized, controlled non-inferiority trial was conducted with 70 3-year-old children with DLD. The novel intervention group (n = 35) received 12 10-min scripted intervention sessions with symbolic play using a tablet game spread out over 8–9 weeks. The standard intervention group (n = 35) received the same amount of intervention with real objects using the same vocabulary scripts. In each session, children were exposed to 22 target words. The primary outcome was the number of new target words learned. This was measured using a picture selection task including 22 target words and 22 control words at 3 time intervals: before the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 5 weeks later. In both intervention groups, the children learned significantly more target words than control words. No significant differences in gains between the two intervention conditions were found. This study provides evidence that vocabulary intervention for toddlers with DLD using a tablet game is equally as effective as an intervention using real objects.

On this publication contributed

  • Rob Zwitserlood | onderzoeker | lectoraat Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie
    Rob Zwitserlood
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie
  • Ellen Gerrits | lector | lectoraat Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie
    Ellen Gerrits
    • Lector
    • Research group: Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie

Language Engels
Published in Applied Sciences
Year and volume 12 3
Key words vocabulary intervention, DLD, tablet gaming, speech and language therapy, RCT design

Rob Zwitserlood

Rob Zwitserlood | onderzoeker | lectoraat Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie

Rob Zwitserlood

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie