ASHA Learning Pass

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) often demonstrate concurrent executive function (EF) difficulties. The combination of reduced language competence and poor EF development limits access to cooperative play. At the same time, EF, social, and language skills are further developed within play.

This session provides instruction on creating and using readily producible visual aids (i.e., video play models, static play photos, Play Plan) to support EF, play, and narrative skills in preschoolers with DLD. The session discusses how EF difficulties present in preschoolers with DLD and strategies that can be immediately applied in intervention sessions and the classroom.

Content disclosure: This presentation focuses on the use of visuals to support cooperative play. Speakers briefly discuss other approaches, such as verbally mediated strategies, but the main focus is visual strategies.

This session was recorded at the 2023 ASHA Convention in Boston (session 1159).

Related Courses

See more sessions from the 2023 ASHA Convention.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Describe the interaction between executive function and cooperative play in preschoolers with DLD 
• Support executive function and narrative skill development during cooperative play
• Create visual supports for cooperative play in preschoolers with DLD and EF difficulties

Keywords: Intervention, Executive Function, Cooperative Play, Developmental Language Disorder, Preschool Children

Presenter Information

Kara B. Corley, MS, CCC-SLP, is a senior speech-language pathologist at Boston Children's Hospital. Kara’s areas of interest include early speech and language development, developmental language disorder (DLD), executive function disorder, and social communication skills. Kara is currently pursuing an SLPD at MGH Institute of Health Professionals, focusing on using visuals to support the play of preschoolers with DLD. She is a member of ASHA SIG 1’s Professional Development Committee.

Disclosures:

• Full-time salaried employee of Boston Children's Hospital
• Royalties from Brookes Publishing Company for a contribution on using visuals to support play within Chapter 12, Enhancing Communication for Individuals with Autism: A Guide to the Visual Immersion System (Shane et al., 2015)
• SLPD student at the Institute of Health Professions at MGH.
• ASHA SIG 1 Professional Development Committee member

Toby Loewenstein, MEd, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Toby’s clinical and research areas of interest include early speech and language development, literacy, narrative production, cultural and linguistic diversity, and client perspectives. She worked as a research assistant in the LI+TLE Lab at Emerson College, supporting studies focused on language and Autism. Toby previously worked as a special education inclusion preschool teacher and kindergarten teacher.

Disclosures:

• Salaried, full-time employee at Boston Children's Hospital

Victoria Sharaga, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Victoria received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Boston University in 2022 and holds bachelor’s degrees in linguistics and education studies from Brandeis University. Her interests include preschool and school-age language disorders, narrative discourse interventions, and exploring the relationship between cognition and language. Victoria has experience evaluating and treating pediatric dysphonia and has a growing interest in resonance disorders.

Disclosures:

• Salaried, full-time employee at Boston Children's Hospital

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: November 2023
End date: March 31, 2030

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).