Objective: This investigation aimed to compare the effectiveness of utilizing semantic mapping and the Frayer model on word definition ability in adolescents with developmental language disorder (DLD). Method: An adapted alternating treatment design (AATD), including two experimental conditions and a control condition, was utilized for this investigation. Treatment outcomes were analyzed across experimental conditions and participants to determine the effectiveness of the semantic mapping condition compared to the Frayer model condition. Results: The semantic mapping condition resulted in a higher absolute level of change and a greater slope in a therapeutic direction for all three participants when compared with the Frayer model condition. Results: The semantic mapping condition resulted in a higher absolute level of change and a greater slope in a therapeutic direction for all three participants when compared with the Frayer model condition. Conclusion: This investigation substantiates prior research suggesting that a phonological-semantic approach utilizing graphic organizers is an effective intervention to improve the word definition ability of children with DLD. Implementing semantic mapping caused a greater positive change in all three participants’ ability to define newly taught vocabulary words when compared with the Frayer model. Follow-up research is necessary to examine further the effectiveness of various vocabulary interventions in adolescents with DLD.
