Structured Speech-Language Therapy with AAC in a Child with Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Delay: Clinical Findings from a Case Study
Main Article Content
Abstract
Purpose
Children with Cerebral Palsy frequently demonstrate communication impairments associated with oral motor dysfunction, delayed language acquisition, cognitive limitations, and impaired social interaction. The present case study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured speech-language intervention in improving communication and pre-linguistic abilities in a child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Delay.
Method
A 5.5-year-old female child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy associated with Intellectual Disability and Speech-Language Developmental Delay underwent comprehensive speech-language assessment. Initial evaluation revealed severe receptive and expressive language delay, impaired oral motor functioning, poor joint attention, reduced imitation, feeding difficulties, and poor communicative intent. Individualized intervention consisting of play therapy, joint attention training, modelling, imitation therapy, language stimulation, AAC and parent counselling was provided.
Results
Post-therapy findings demonstrated improvement in receptive and expressive language abilities from the 9–10 month developmental level to the 16–18 month level. Improvements were also observed in eye contact, imitation abilities, play participation, communicative intent, vocalization, and attention during structured activities.
Conclusion
Structured speech-language intervention combined with caregiver participation contributed positively toward communication development and pre-linguistic skill enhancement in the child. Continued therapy and home-based intervention are recommended for further improvement in functional communication and social participation.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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