Caregivers’ insights into supporting late talkers using Target Word™ Hanen Program® for Parents

Background: Children who are late talkers benefit from interventions such as Target Word™ Hanen Program® for Parents. Understanding caregivers’ experiences can assist speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to promote caregivers’ active engagement to positively impact child outcomes.
Aim: To explore caregivers’ experiences and engagement during the 16-week Target Word™ intervention.
Method: Caregivers (n=5) who had recently completed Target Word™ attended online focus groups to share their perspectives. Qualitative Interpretative Description (ID) methodology was used to understand their experiences. Transcripts of these focus groups were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
Results: Two themes were identified. Firstly, that caregivers described explicit roles for SLPs to support their engagement at three time points: (a)in the beginning (clarify expectations), (b) middle (enable caregiver to link changes in their behaviour to positive child outcomes with key learning opportunities) and (c) end (empower caregivers to implement strategies and monitor progress). Secondly, that caregiver engagement in learning is individual to each caregiver, influenced by (a) individual needs and expectations, (b) active engagement during key learning moments, (c) the broader environment.
Conclusion: Caregivers participating in Target Word™ experienced unique engagement journeys over the course of the program. SLPs can explicitly facilitate participation at each phase of Target Word™ to promote active engagement for learning and caregiver empowerment to support their children’s language growth.
Key messages
At the conclusion of my presentation, attendees will take away
Key message 1: That clinicians have a key role in promoting caregiver engagement and learning in caregiver implemented programs.
Key message 2: That the role of the clinician requires explicit considerations when supporting caregivers at different phases in an intervention program: the beginning, middle and end phases.
Key message 3: That the role of the clinician is to consider the breadth of caregiver perspectives, and how to individualise caregivers' engagement to support their children.