Intervención temprana en comunicación y lenguaje: colaboración con las educadoras y familias de dos niños

Abstract

This article aims to present a brief review of current trends in early intervention in language and communication. Current trends in speech therapy research and practices are clearly moving toward models that include families and educators in the care team, thereby making the overall process of assessment, diagnosis and intervention a collaborative effort. With regard to the objectives and procedures of early intervention, this paper reviews studies emphasizing the need to examine the interactions between adults and children in natural environments in order to promote language development. Some of the key features of naturalist procedures or strategies are summarized, such as following the child’s lead, taking the child's interests as a starting point, proposing natural activities such as play or conversation, and establishing specific objectives, among others. Finally, we present two cases indicating that, in Spain, some speech therapists are already basing their work on these models. These speech therapists work with families and teachers to help them incorporate strategies that promote the development of the child's communicative and linguistic capacities. These strategies are providing satisfactory results for children, speech therapists, teachers and families.