Evaluation of teaching methods in a home-based training scheme for developmentally delayed pre-school children.

Thirty-eight pre-school developmentally delayed children receiving the South Glamorgan Home Advisory Service were included in the study. The children were grouped according to developmental ability and manifesting problems. The effectiveness of three methods of teaching (activity charts, target setting, suggestion) were assessed under a balanced design. Weekly skill gain and increments on checklists were measured at the start and at the end of the study period. Parents' opinions on the different methods of teaching were requested and time samples of duration of home visiting were taken. On weekly skill gain, suggestion proved less effective than activity charts or target setting. Severely delayed children made least progress on weekly skill gains. Progress on checklists was independent of teaching method. However, group differences were observed in that severely delayed children (DQ range 22-61) and older (greater than 17 months) Down's syndrome children made least gains on the checklists. Activity charts were preferred by parents although they were also rated as being the most time consuming. Duration of home visits tended to be greater when activity charts were used. Implications of the findings are discussed with reference to ways of improving advice given to parents and alternative ways of evaluating pre-school educational programmes for particular groups of children.