Efficacy of group versus individual therapy for advancing receptive and expressive language development for children aged 6–12 years within community settings: A critically appraised topic

Two appraised research articles of a moderate level of research evidence suggest that speech-language pathology (SLP) therapy delivered in small groups can be as effective as individual sessions for 6–12 year olds for gains in expressive language. The consultative model (i.e., SLP delivered education of teachers in therapy methodology) does not yield the same level of efficacy.

Group or individual therapy delivered by a trained assistant can be just as effective as group or individual therapy delivered directly by an SLP.

Research evidence was limited for this age group and interpretation complicated by differences in modes of delivery. One study found that group therapy delivered by speech-language pathology assistants was as effective as group sessions delivered by speech-language pathologists, which were both as effective (and less costly) than individual sessions. Gains in expressive language were not replicated when similar interventions were delivered by teachers via a consultative-based service delivery model.