| Title: |
+Language Is Medicine: A Precision Home Visiting Approach to Early Language Intervention for Diné (Navajo) Toddlers with DD |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Joshuaa D. Allison-Burbank; Elizabeth Kushman; Jessica Meese; Lisa Jim; Lisa Martin; Julia Soap; Jay Buzhardt; Martha A. Austin-Garrison |
| Source: |
Topics in Language Disorders. 2026 46(1):3-7. |
| Availability: |
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Available from: Wolters Kluwer. 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Tel: 800-638-3030; e-mail: MR-WKCustomerSupport@wolterskluwer.com; Web site: https://journals.lww.com/pages/default.aspx |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
5 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Home Visits; American Indians; Navajo (Nation); Navajo; Toddlers; Developmental Delays; Speech Language Pathology; Allied Health Personnel; Speech Therapy; Outcomes of Treatment; Expressive Language; Receptive Language; Communication Skills; Retention (Psychology); Language Acquisition; Tribes; Early Intervention |
| DOI: |
10.1097/TLD.0000000000000379 |
| ISSN: |
0271-8294; 1550-3259 |
| Abstract: |
This pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the +Language is Medicine (+LiM) caregiver-implemented language intervention, a culturally grounded, caregiver-coaching early language intervention for Diné (Navajo) toddlers with developmental delay. The program integrates evidence-based language facilitation strategies, Enhanced Milieu Teaching and Hanen's "It Takes Two to Talk," within a precision home visiting framework. Twenty-seven caregiver-toddler (9-24 months) dyads (n = 27) were enrolled from the Northern Agency of the Navajo Nation, with 15 dyads completing full baseline and post-intervention assessments. The intervention consisted of 5 weekly, home-based sessions delivered by trained Tribal Home Visitors (THVs) supervised by a speech-language pathologist. Treatment fidelity was monitored, with THVs achieving ≥90% adherence. Measures included the Early Communication Indicator, Bayley-4, and caregiver confidence surveys. Toddlers demonstrated significant gains in expressive language (P = 0.017) from baseline to post-intervention, sustained at a 3-month follow-up assessment. Receptive language showed positive trends. Caregivers reported increased confidence and skill in supporting communication. Retention rate overall was 56%, with most attrition related to family relocation or scheduling conflicts. +LiM is a feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective approach to supporting early communication development in Navajo toddlers with early signs of DD. Its integration of precision tribal visiting principles and cultural adaptations offers a promising model for EI service delivery in rural reservation-based communities. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1501626 |
| Database: |
ERIC |