JCPSLP Vol 16 Issue 1 2014

Translating research into practice

Translating research into practice top 10 resources Amy Rynsent

M aroondah Hospital Community Health Paediatric Speech Pathology Service assists children who have speech, language, feeding, and/ or communication difficulties. A shared focus within the department is to regularly consult the current literature in order to keep abreast of new and evidence-based practices. Senior speech pathologist Amy Rynsent and her colleagues Brianna Bell and Venetia Su have identified their top ten strategies and resources that are informed by research in the field of paediatric speech pathology. 1 Evidence-based practice principles Speech pathologists at Maroondah Hospital Community Health Speech Pathology utilise evidence-based practice principles when evaluating the literature and applying new ideas in clinical practice. Staff regularly pose clinical questions within an evidence-based practice working party and consult the literature in order to make informed clinical decisions that incorporate the highest level of evidence available. 2 Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Preschool – Fourth edition, Australian and New Zealand (Wiig, Secord and Semel, 2006) (available via www.pearsonclinical.com.au) This assessment tool allows the examiner to evaluate the language skills of children aged between 3 and 6 years of age and, importantly, has been standardised to include norms referenced on an Australian paediatric population. Staff at Maroondah Hospital use this resource to assess the language strengths and weaknesses of preschool children and to assist in goal-setting. 3 Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (Dodd, et al, 2006) (available via www.pearsonassessments.com) This standardised assessment is used to evaluate the nature of children’s speech sound errors from an articulation and phonological perspective. The DEAP assesses speech sounds in words and connected speech, phonological processes and contains an oral motor screen. Using this assessment allows speech pathologists to categorise speech sound disorders. By classifying speech sound disorders, the speech pathology team at Maroondah has been better able to select the most effective and efficient treatment options, ensuring better outcomes for patients. 4 BLADES Language Therapy The speech pathologists at Maroondah Hospital have used information presented in BLADES Language Therapy workshops presented by speech pathologist Melanie Sherwood. A small review of the current literature has been conducted by the Maroondah speech pathology team

which found evidence to suggest that BLADES therapy is an effective language therapy option for children aged between 2 and 5 years. 5 Speech Pathology Australia Evidence Alerts Members of Speech Pathology Australia receive monthly “Evidence-Based Practice Alerts” via email that promote the use of evidence-based practice and make it easier for time-poor clinicians to access information. Previous “Evidence-Based Practice Alerts” can be accessed at http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/component/ content/article/96-spa-news-a-events/1535-evidence- based-practice-alerts 6 speechBITE Database for Best Interventions and Treatment Efficacy (available at www.speechbite.com)

speechBITE is a web-based database that provides free access to citations and abstracts relevant to the field of speech pathology. Information in speechBITE has been catalogued with reference to levels of evidence such as randomised controlled trials versus single case experimental designs to assist speech pathologists in their clinical decision-making. 7 The Lidcombe Parent Support Groups Recent research (Goodhue et al., 2010) has provided good evidence to advocate for the use of parent support groups for families undertaking the Lidcombe program. Speech pathology clinicians at Maroondah Hospital hypothesised that this may increase adherence to the program methodology. A parent support group was conducted by paediatric speech pathologists at Maroondah and a report on the group was presented at last year’s SPA Conference. Parents enjoyed being provided with opportunities to liaise with other families who were going through similar experiences and it was found that parents’ motivation and understanding of the program increased after participating in parent support groups.

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JCPSLP Volume 16, Number 1 2014

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au