Language Disorders: A Functional Approach to Assessment and Intervention (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

Robert E. Owens (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205381537 | ISBN-13: 978-0205381531 | Publication Date: July 27, 2003 | Edition: 4

Language Disorders is a comprehensive discussion of language disorders and clinical practice that takes students from model, through disorders, to assessment and intervention, with an emphasis on classroom application. It takes a functional, environmental, and conversational approach, by using the child's natural environment and conversational partners. Unlike other language disorders texts, which have a disorder-specific focus, this text takes a logical traverse from assessment through intervention. This new edition is completely updated with current trends and developments in the field, and is full of practical ideas and useful suggestions for students and speech-language pathologists. The text provides concrete guidelines and procedures for the assessment and training of children as well as training for speech-language pathologists.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This text provides a comprehensive discussion of language disorders and clinical practice that takes students from model, through disorders, to assessment and intervention, with an emphasis on classroom application.

Language Disorders takes a functional, environmental, and conversational approach, by using the child's natural environment and conversational partners. Unlike other language disorders texts, which have a disorder-specific focus, this text takes a logical traverse from assessment through intervention. This new edition is completely updated with current trends and developments in the field, and is full of practical ideas and useful suggestions for students and speech-language pathologists. The text provides concrete guidelines and procedures for the assessment and training of children as well as training for speech-language pathologists.

New to this Edition:

• More emphasis on early intervention and Alternative and Augmentative Communication.
• New chapter on literacy impairments that addresses reading and writing and the role of speech-language pathologists with disorders of each (Chapter 13).
• Expanded information on classroom intervention that includes current topics such as Collaborative Consultative Intervention.

Related Titles:

Teaching Students with Language and Communication Disabilities, 2/e
S. Jay Kuder Order No. 0-205-34330-9

Patterns of Narrative Discourse: A Multicultural, Life Span Approach, 1/e
Allysa McCabe Lynn S. Bliss Order No. 0-205-33869-0

Language and Communication Disorders in Children, 5/e
Deena K. Bernstein Ellenmorris Tiegerman-Farber Order No. 0-205-33635-3

About the Author

Robert E. Owens, Jr., Ph.D., is a professor of speech-language pathology and director of the graduate program in speech pathology at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He is the author of a number of textbooks, book chapters, and articles, including Language Development: An Introduction (Allyn & Bacon, 2007), and the Program for Acquisition of Language with the Severely Impaired (PALS). He has presented approximately 150 professional papers and workshops in both the U.S. and abroad.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 4 edition (July 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205381537
• ISBN-13: 978-0205381531
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Functional Approach Just Makes Sense, May 5, 2000

By 

D.P. Shepard (Watertown, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Language Disorders: A Functional Approach to Assessment and Intervention (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing speech language pathologists when working with their clients is getting them to generalize the newly-learned language targets to novel contexts. After all, what good is speech-language therapy if the client does not use the skills outside of the therapy room?

Dr. Owens' book, Language Disorders: A Functional Approach to Assessment and Intervention, addresses this issue in great depth. The book shows how a conversationally-based, client-centered approach to assessment and intervention will greatly increase the likelihood of generalization. It also shows how the traditional approach of teaching language targets separately and out of context may not be the best method to achieve generalization. The book stresses, rather, to assess and train language where it will be used: in conversation. Owens also discusses at length the assessment and intervention of culturally and linguistically diverse children.

One major point made in the book early-on regarding intervention is the idea of making a plan for generalization when picking language targets, before therapy begins. So often SLPs make the mistake of addressing generalization toward the end of intervention, resulting in the SLP choosing inappropriate targets and/or the client showing a lack of carryover to novel contexts.

Owens also includes numerous guidelines and procedures that could be especially helpful for the school-based clinician. The appendices in the book are exceptional. Most impressive is Owens' extensive index of preschool literature, complete with suggested targets for remediation for each story. Also, a detailed table of language targets accompanied by functional activities for each is provided. This book is a valuable tool for anyone who works with individuals with language disorders or language differences.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I can't get over the errors, December 5, 2010

By 

d - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Language Disorders: A Functional Approach to Assessment and Intervention (5th Edition) (Paperback)

This is the worst textbook I have ever read, and I've been taking classes in a variety of subjects for the past 15 years. There are countless spelling errors, atrocious grammatical mistakes, references to tables that do not exist in the book, and a seemingly endless supply of redundant anecdotes. There is very little logical structure, making it extremely difficult to tell that there are, in fact, some very good ideas about clinical assessment and intervention hidden beneath all the poor writing. If only someone had read the book before it was published.

My current favorite mistake: "It's a bicycle; you ride on it by peddling."

I'm sorry if you have any love for the English language and are required to read this book. I'll be done with it after tomorrow, and it will take all of my remaining strength to sell it for the benefit of some other poor slob (and the environment) rather than burn it page by page as it deserves.

Robert E. Owens, Jr., you should be ashamed of yourself. I only hope this is not the language you're teaching those poor children with LI.

Amazon, your service is wonderful. Thank you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great concepts, atrocious editing., February 26, 2011

By 

Katherine E. Knowles "Undecided Kate" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Language Disorders: A Functional Approach to Assessment and Intervention (5th Edition) (Paperback)

The functional approach to language intervention is great, but Pearson obviously didn't have anyone proofread this before it went to print. Mistake after mistake including spelling errors, punctuation errors and the worst: barely intelligible sentences that leave me agonizing to figure out what Owens is trying to say. This is the kind of book that makes me think I should go into editing. Seriously Pearson, send me your books and I'll give you a deal for the service. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK NEW. We do not need to encourage further printing of this garbage. Pearson: please make the effort to put out a good product before charging exorbitant amounts for it.