Enhancing the Communication Abilities of Preschoolers at Risk for Behavior Problems

Abstract

Communication deficits are frequently associated with externalizing behavior problems in preschoolers but, in most cases, unsuspected in clinical practice. This exploratory study evaluated the effectiveness of a relatively brief parent-implemented language intervention on preschoolers at risk for behavior problems. Participants were randomly allocated either to an experimental group (n = 16) or to an untreated control group (n = 16). An intervention of eight group sessions, aiming at enhancing parent verbal responsiveness and communication strategies, was implemented over 2 months. Results showed that this intervention created several improvements such as an enhancement of parental responsiveness and a trend toward increased child referential communication abilities and decreased child behavior problems. These effects persisted 6 months after the intervention. Despite some limitations and the need for a replication of these results, the findings highlight the importance of preventive interventions on parent–child communication and interactions in supporting the communication needs of children with externalizing behavior difficulties.