Parameters of service delivery and the Strathclyde Language Intervention Program (SLIP)

Abstract

How should speech and language pathologists (SLPs) best proceed in delivering language services to children and young people? In this chapter, we describe the Strathclyde Language Intervention Program (SLIP) (McCartney et al., 2004) a manualized intervention which was developed for use by SLPs and their assistants working with individual children and small groups of children aged 6 to 11 years with primary (specific) language delay. We also consider its underlying theory and empirical basis, its practical requirements and key components, and outline an individual child?s journey through the program. We locate the program within the literature for this population by considering four key parameters of service delivery (dosage, format, setting and provider) and reviewing the evidence base for whether they make a difference to the outcomes of intervention. We conclude with a consideration of future directions for further research and study of the effects of different service delivery options.