Kirsty Spalding

• BSc Hons Speech & Language Sciences
• Changing the way we look at Speech & Language Therapy interventions: Application of the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTT) to Speech & Language Therapy interventions with children

Behaviour change interventions such as Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) are complex, and lack of common terminology makes their accurate implementation and replication difficult. The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTT, Michie et al, 2013) comprises 93 BCTs, or components of interventions that aim to change behaviour in some way, such as providing demonstration or giving instructions. It has been applied in various research fields including public health, but never within paediatric SLT.

This project examines the feasibility of using the BCTT within SLT by applying it to videos of student SLTs delivering Building Early Sentences Therapy (BEST) and Phonological Awareness Intervention.

The BCTT was useful for describing interventions and checking that delivery adhered to manual instructions (treatment fidelity). Some modifications were required and 10 new BCTs were identified. Possible uses of the BCTT include specifying intervention techniques in therapy manuals, assessing treatment fidelity, and facilitating student training.

 Funding source: School of ECLS

 Supervisor: Dr Helen Stringer