Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK
Early intervention is widely recommended for children at risk of difficulties with speech, language and communication. Evidence for effective practice remains limited due in part to inherent difficulties in defining complex interventions and measuring change. The innovative Language Environment An...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
SAGE Publications
2017
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40189/ |
| _version_ | 1848796002665889792 |
|---|---|
| author | Allen, Sarah Crawford, Paul Mulla, Imran |
| author_facet | Allen, Sarah Crawford, Paul Mulla, Imran |
| author_sort | Allen, Sarah |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Early intervention is widely recommended for children at risk of difficulties with speech, language and communication. Evidence for effective practice remains limited due in part to inherent difficulties in defining complex interventions and measuring change.
The innovative Language Environment Analysis (LENA) system has exciting potential for early intervention and for evaluating outcomes. LENA is used widely in the United States; however there is little to guide the introduction of this new technology in the UK.
Successful implementation of new technology is predicted by its perceived acceptability and usefulness. This qualitative pilot study aimed to explore the acceptability of LENA for UK families with a young deaf child. Four families used LENA to record for one day. They received and discussed LENA feedback reports with a specialist Speech and Language Therapist. Using qualitative methodology with a pragmatic epistemology, semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data explored using Thematic Analysis.
Three families were positive about using LENA; they identified benefits of the feedback, suggested important factors for future use and would recommend it to other families. One family chose not to complete the recording. Key to acceptability is parental understanding of LENA’s purpose and the need for a trusted professional to facilitate interpretation and change.
LENA is acceptable for some UK families with a young deaf child suggesting there is potential for successful implementation. Further study to explore LENA’s usefulness is recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:41:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-40189 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:41:03Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | SAGE Publications |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-401892020-05-04T18:47:37Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40189/ Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK Allen, Sarah Crawford, Paul Mulla, Imran Early intervention is widely recommended for children at risk of difficulties with speech, language and communication. Evidence for effective practice remains limited due in part to inherent difficulties in defining complex interventions and measuring change. The innovative Language Environment Analysis (LENA) system has exciting potential for early intervention and for evaluating outcomes. LENA is used widely in the United States; however there is little to guide the introduction of this new technology in the UK. Successful implementation of new technology is predicted by its perceived acceptability and usefulness. This qualitative pilot study aimed to explore the acceptability of LENA for UK families with a young deaf child. Four families used LENA to record for one day. They received and discussed LENA feedback reports with a specialist Speech and Language Therapist. Using qualitative methodology with a pragmatic epistemology, semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data explored using Thematic Analysis. Three families were positive about using LENA; they identified benefits of the feedback, suggested important factors for future use and would recommend it to other families. One family chose not to complete the recording. Key to acceptability is parental understanding of LENA’s purpose and the need for a trusted professional to facilitate interpretation and change. LENA is acceptable for some UK families with a young deaf child suggesting there is potential for successful implementation. Further study to explore LENA’s usefulness is recommended. SAGE Publications 2017-06-01 Article PeerReviewed Allen, Sarah, Crawford, Paul and Mulla, Imran (2017) Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 33 (2). pp. 117-128. ISSN 1477-0865 Early Intervention LENA Communication Children Families Deaf Technology Outcomes http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0265659016671168 doi:10.1177/0265659016671168 doi:10.1177/0265659016671168 |
| spellingShingle | Early Intervention LENA Communication Children Families Deaf Technology Outcomes Allen, Sarah Crawford, Paul Mulla, Imran Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK |
| title | Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK |
| title_full | Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK |
| title_short | Exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using LENA with parents of young deaf children in the UK |
| title_sort | exploring the acceptability of innovative technology: a pilot study using lena with parents of young deaf children in the uk |
| topic | Early Intervention LENA Communication Children Families Deaf Technology Outcomes |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40189/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40189/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40189/ |