Research and Development

Research and Development at NEMLDC

The North East Metropolitan Language Development Centre (NEMLDC) is a Centre for Excellence that optimises language growth for all students and builds capacity of staff. It is recognised and respected for the quality education and support it offers to students and the broader public school community.

We believe it takes a village to raise a child and a whole school to optimise language growth. Our vision and strategic direction informs our rationale and allows us to develop the strategic plan to achieve our continuation as a Centre for Excellence. Our commitment is to develop high quality language programs, evidence-based practices, and happy, successful learners. We believe in an integrated and connected method of program delivery where each focus area complements our vision and allows for clear, cohesive planning of programs and services. In line with our current Business Plan, a key focus area for the school is contextualised research and development.

Empirical research is an integral component of evidence-based practice. Contemporary findings from research are fundamental to understanding principles of best practice, policy development, service delivery, and prioritising school focus areas and direction.  Existing evidence from research findings guides the development of service delivery and school programs, and subsequently informs classroom practice. The NEMLDC also recognises practice informs the need for further research. We explore these possibilities internally by following best-practice procedures in conducting internal research, as well as partnering with tertiary institutions and other stakeholders to undertake local research relevant to our cohort of students.

Findings from Research and Development ensure NEMLDC program development is contextualised and meets the specific needs of our cohort of students. The State-wide Speech and Language Service is a recognised contributor to research and educational practice in the area of language and literacy development. The cohesion of research, service delivery, and classroom-practice leads to positive change in school operations. This dynamic is achieved through recognition of service needs, acquisition of knowledge, and identification and implementation of evidence-based practice.

In 2017, the NEMLDC had two staff members representing the school at the Speech Pathology Australia 2017 National Conference. One presentation focused on the great work the entire school has been doing using language samples to track the progress of all students at the LDC. The other presentation was on work he has done developing therapy for children who have particular difficulties with grammar. See pictures below!

 

Current Projects

Evaluating the effectiveness of a scripted phonics program as compared to a teacher created phonics program, for children with DLD.

Completed Projects

  • Use of Language Sample Analysis in a school setting (LDC and Outreach speech pathology teams)
  • Combining implicit and explicit intervention approaches to target grammar in young children with Developmental Language Disorder (Samuel Calder)
  • Evaluating the efficacy of an oral narrative intervention for pre-primary children with narrative delay – Masters project (Laura Glisson)

Publications

Calder, S., Stirling, C., Glisson, L., Goerke, A., Kilpatrick, T., Koch, L., Taylor, A., Wells, R., & Claessen, M. (2017). Language sample analysis: a powerful tool in the school setting. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology. 19(2), 66-71.

Also available from: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Publications/Journal_of_Clinical_Practice.aspx

Calder, S., Wells, R., Glisson, L., Stirling, C., & Mary, M. (2018). The clinical application of SALT to evaluate intervention program effectiveness in a school context. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology. 20(1), 8-13.

Available from: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Publications/Journal_of_Clinical_Practice.aspx

North East Metro Language Development Centre. (2018). Top 10 Resources: Working with DLD in schools. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology. 20(1), 46-48.

Available from: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Publications/Journal_of_Clinical_Practice.aspx

Conference presentations

Calder, S., Claessen, M., & Leitão, S. (2017). Improving practice through clinical research: a case example with an early efficacy study of grammar intervention for 6-7 year-olds. Oral Presentation at Speech Pathology Australia 2017 National Conference, 28-31 May, 2017, Sydney, Australia.

Stirling, C., Calder, S., Glisson, L., Goerke, A., Kilpatrick, T., Koch, L., Taylor, A., Wells, R., & Claessen, M. (2017). The clinical application of SALT to evaluate intervention program effectiveness in a school context. Oral Presentation at Speech Pathology Australia 2017 National Conference, 28-31 May, 2017, Sydney, Australia.

 If you are interested in research projects happening at the NEMLDC, please contact our Research and Development Committee on 9275 5511 or via email northeastmetro.ldc@education.wa.edu.au