Early intervention in speech, language and communication disorders
Luigi Marotta, Ilaria Cacopardo
In Italy almost thirty per cent of referrals to the Child and Adolescent Services concern language and communication disorders. What clinical intervention models are there which have scientific evidence of efficiency and efficacy and at the same time are affordable for the National Health Service? In 2012 Law proposed a three-level model of action, also known as the Three Waves Model. The first level is defined as «universal intervention» and is generic and available to all children. The second level, called «targeted intervention», is used for the provision of services to specific subgroups of children who have been identified as being in need and who the services anticipate will respond to the intervention concerned. The third level, «specialist intervention», is reserved for children whose speech, language or communication need has persisted despite earlier intervention and support or who need specialist approaches to address their impairments.
Keywords
Language development, Intervention models, Efficacy, Sustainability.