In this installment of Child Language Case Studies, Margo Kinzer Courter, BS, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, walks you through a real-world case focused on derivational morphology in an older student. Daniel is a 13-year-old eighth grader who has received language therapy since kindergarten and continues to demonstrate persistent challenges with morphology that impact both academic and functional language skills.
Daniel’s difficulty with derivational morphology has significantly affected his vocabulary development, as well as his ability to read and spell multisyllabic words. He struggles to understand how prefixes and suffixes modify word meaning, which limits vocabulary growth and comprehension. These challenges also extend to literacy, including recognizing and applying prefixes and suffixes accurately during reading and spelling tasks.
Throughout the course, Margo outlines practical, evidence-informed strategies for supporting derivational morphology within language intervention. The course also emphasizes collaboration with educators, recognizing that school remains the primary daily work environment for older students. You’ll leave with concrete ideas for partnering with teachers to support carryover, reinforce morphological awareness, and promote academic success across settings.
Daniel’s difficulty with derivational morphology has significantly affected his vocabulary development, as well as his ability to read and spell multisyllabic words. He struggles to understand how prefixes and suffixes modify word meaning, which limits vocabulary growth and comprehension. These challenges also extend to literacy, including recognizing and applying prefixes and suffixes accurately during reading and spelling tasks.
Throughout the course, Margo outlines practical, evidence-informed strategies for supporting derivational morphology within language intervention. The course also emphasizes collaboration with educators, recognizing that school remains the primary daily work environment for older students. You’ll leave with concrete ideas for partnering with teachers to support carryover, reinforce morphological awareness, and promote academic success across settings.
