Exploring Language Development Support for Foster Children: A Scoping Review of Interventions for Foster Care Families

Abstract

Purpose: Children in foster care are at an increased risk for language delays and disorders, and foster parents can play a significant role in preventing delays in early language development. This scoping review explored empirical studies that included foster parent training programs for families with foster children under the age of 5 years. Method: Using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews), multiple databases were searched, and resulting article titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion in the review. Each study that met inclusion criteria was then coded for the training methods used to teach foster parents intervention strategies and the targeted outcomes of the intervention. Results: A total of 24 studies were identified. Of the 24 studies reviewed, all included interventions focused on increasing parent–child relationships and decreasing child challenging behaviors, but few included opportunities for foster parents to practice using intervention strategies with their foster child. None of the studies focused specifically on strategies for promoting children's language development. When outcomes across the studies were reviewed, only two focused on children's language. Conclusions: The results of this review point to the need for more research on language interventions that can be implemented by foster parents. The discussion focuses on the important role speech-language pathologists can play in the prevention of early language delays or disorders in young foster children. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21714311