In many of the rural areas of South Africa local communities rely on wetland resources for daily living. For a symbiotic relationship to exist between these communities and the wetlands, the wetlands must be utilised in a manner sustainable to both parties. To prevent exploitation thereof, a comprehensive understanding of the processes and functions of wetlands, of the values and needs of rural community members, and of the interactions between these entities is essential. This study focuses on research at three scales; the plot scale (10m\ the microcatchment scale (lkm2 ), represented by the Craigiebum wetland and microcatchment, and the catchment area upstream of the gauging weir X3H008, all of which exist in the Sand River catchment in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces of South Africa. Relationships between the geomorphological properties of the Craigiebum microcatchment, the wetland management practices of the local communities, and the hydrological properties of the microcatchment have been investigated. Various hydrological models, but in the main the ACRU model, have been adopted as tools to facilitate this research. Possible scenarios of changes in land use, rainfall and soil texture were performed at the plot scale and at the scale of the microcatchment, and changes in wetland extent were simulated and analysed at the scale of the catchment. Results of the modelling exercises simulating the effects of differences in soil texture higWight the positive effects of retention of fine particles within a wetland in a sandy environment. These results also depict greater rates of hydraulic conductivity, erosion and desiccation within coarse-textured soils than fmer textured soils. Low levels of fertility can also be attributed to the lack of fine particles present in the soils of the Craigiebum microcatchment wetland. Results of the modelling exercises that investigate the likely hydrological effects of a variety of land uses within the Craigiebum microcatchment verify accepted hydrological theory, as they highlight that more impervious areas produce more stormflow and lose more water to evaporation, and that the natural vegetation of the area contributes to streamflow regulation more than other land uses do. The exercises performed at the scale of the Sand River catchment do not provide conclusive evidence of the effects of changes in wetland extent, as the hydrological effects that other land uses in the area have appear to override the effects of the simulated wetland areas. Analysis of the sociological data captured highlights the great extent to which the local community depends on the Craigieburn wetland resources for a variety of livelihood strategies. Furthermore it illustrates the degree to which a reduction in wetland health negatively impacts upon the community. Viewed in conjunction, the hydrological, biophysical and sociological results highlight the degree to which changes in one aspect of the environment affect other aspects thereof, thereby highlighting the degree to which these aspects of the Craigieburn microcatchment are inextricably linked. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

This dissertation is composed of three manuscripts based on two studies related to training and assessment methods used to evaluate change and overall quality in measures of performance, postural control, and functional movement. Study one evaluated the effect of sand training on athletic performance and postural control. Study two investigated the effect of scoring strata of the deep squat (DS) component of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) on the weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and Lateral Flexion Test (LFT) in 101 male and female college students. Study one results included significant overall improvements of the five repetition maximum (5RM) squat (p=0.002), and WBLT (p Study two results indicated that limited dorsiflexion will lead to a reduction in DS performance and asymmetry of performance on the LFT may result in further movement limitations. Subjects scoring a one or two on the deep squat performed significantly lower (p

The purpose of this study was to research the therapeutic outcomes achieved by a five year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome (AS), by means of non-directive processes of child centred play therapy (CCP) and sand tray play therapy (STP). In this investigative-descriptive qualitative research design, a saturated, holistic, intrinsic single case study was used as research method. The therapeutic process, events and outcomes of a unique single case within the context of AS, non-directive play therapy and the interactional-pattern analysis (IPA), are described. This study was motivated by the fact that the researcher disposed of data for a unique single case study that could contribute meaningfully to the need for a research database that describes effective therapeutic interventions and outcomes with children with AS. From the perspective of Rogerian person-centred theory (RPT), the literature study focused on an integrated discussion of AS, CCP and STP by means of 17 interpersonal variables of the interactional-pattern analysis (IPA). The following data sources was investigated: interviews with parents and teachers; CCP-sessions of J recorded on video; photos of some of J’s STP-sessions and the therapists’ process notes. Triangulation was used to evaluate the various categories of therapeutic outcomes from different viewpoints and to give meaning to them. The conclusions indicated that this boy with AS had used the non-directive processes of CCP and STP to achieve various therapeutic outcomes in the areas of: imaginary play; dramatic play; social interaction with the therapist, parents, family, teachers, his peer group and with strangers; traumatic experiences during visits to the doctor and bath times; identification, expressing and regulating emotions; and minimising acting out behaviour. Therapeutic outcomes have been demonstrated in 8 IPA-variables, namely: empathy, defining of relationships, potential to evoke acceptance or rejection, sincere interest and congruent conduct, control, emotional distance, problem solving and aspects relating to the presenting problem. The conclusion was reached that the conduct of the boy with AS as well as his mother and the therapist, played a mutual role in achieving his therapeutic outcomes within the 17 IPA-variables. The unstructured process of the non-directive play (CCP and STP) was utilised by a young child with AS to achieve therapeutic outcomes that relate to his everyday existence. A final conclusion is that involving the boy’s mother in his therapy and utilising an adapted Filial play program, enabled the mother to make emotional contact with her son and to diminish conflict between them. Guidelines for therapists are suggested with regard to non-directive responding in therapeutic contexts as found in this study. Furthermore, the contribution of this research to Psychology as science and discipline, is presented. Limitations of this study are indicated and recommendations for further research are made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psigologie))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013

Mature fine tailings (MFT), as a mixture of residual bitumen, sand, silt, fine clay particles and water, are a byproduct of oil sands extraction. The large volume, and poor consolidation and water release ability of MFT have been causing significant economic and environmental concerns. Therefore, several studies have been implemented on finding innovative dewatering/disposal techniques. As a result, different methods have been introduced and tested at a laboratory or a field scale, yet very few of these are commercially used in the oil sands industries. Despite the extensive research, an optimal solution has not been found due to the lack of technical or economic feasibility. In the present study, a novel approach that consists of the rapid dewatering of MFT by using a super absorbent polymer (SAP) to produce dense MFT is proposed. A comprehensive laboratory investigation on the geotechnical characteristics and behavior before and after treatment of MFT is conducted. The effects of SAP based dewatering and freeze/thaw cycles on the undrained shear strength of dewatered MFT by using a vane shear apparatus are studied. Furthermore, the ability of recycled SAP to dewater and densify MFT is assessed. Finally, this study provides the results of consolidation and hydraulic conductivity testing to evaluate the void ratio versus effective stress and hydraulic conductivity of MFT. The effects on the behavior and characteristics of MFT after amendment with usage of recycled SAP are also investigated. The results indicate that SAP has the ability to significantly dewater, densify and increase the undrained shear strength of MFT. Furthermore, when subjected to freeze/thaw cycles, the MFT dewatered with SAP shows an additional increase in strength and solid content. It is also found to be possible to regenerate the polymer (still within sachets) through light thermal drying, and the regenerated SAP can still significantly dewater and thus increase the shear strength and solid content of the MFT. In addition, the obtained high solid content affects and improves the compressibility of the material, thus resulting in low initial void ratios. On the other hand, low hydraulic permeability that is derived from low initial void ratios and consolidation is improved by the freeze/thaw process due to the interconnected voids created during the freezing process.

This study involved a regional hydrogeological assessment of the Comox Coalfield on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Two site-specific geological and hydrogeological investigations were conducted. The first involved generating a 2.5 dimensional hydrostratigraphic model of part of the Quadra Sand Comox-Merville Aquifer using lithology information from 196 drilled domestic-use groundwater wells. Well logs were standardized with respect to lithologic and hydraulic characteristics. Contact surfaces were created for identifiable hydrostratigraphic units employing an iterative geostatistical interpolation process that incorporated contact points from well logs and interpreted points based on the regional hydrogeology. Modeled hydrostratigraphic surfaces were compared to logged contacts and to exposures at Willemar and Lazo bluffs at Comox. Six lithostratigraphic units were identified in the coastal exposures. Hydraulic conductivity values, estimated from grain size data using the Hazen method, for the lowermost 4 units were: 2.3 x 10-3 cm/s, 9.1 x 10-6 cm/s, 9.4 x 10-3 cm/s, and 4.7 x 10-6 cm/s, respectively. The hydrostratigraphic model was verified using statistical variance analysis, field reconnaissance data, and the identification of a separate surficial aquifer within the study area. The model identified all units mapped in the field and two units below sea level, inferred to be the Cowichan Head Formation. The Comox Bluff model successfully predicted, within 2 m vertically, subsurface hydrostratigraphic boundaries 80% of the time. The second component of the study included a hydrogeological investigation of stacked Quaternary and Late Cretaceous bedrock aquifers at Oyster River. This investigation incorporated drilling logs, borehole geophysics, aqueous geochemistry, pumping and recovery test data, and hydrostratigraphic interpretation of surficial exposures. The potential for hydraulic communication between the Late Cretaceous Nanaimo Group fractured sedimentary bedrock and the overlying unconsolidated Quaternary aquifers was examined. Two adjacent groundwater observation wells were drilled; one completed in bedrock (146.9 m) and one in the surficial sediments (7.3 m). The deeper well penetrated the Trent River and Comox Formations of the Nanaimo Group. A water-bearing fracture zone approximately 3 m wide was encountered at 135 metres below ground surface, coincident with the Comox Y and Y Lower coal seams. Dissolved methane gas was detected in the bedrock aquifer, with an initial concentration of 2,123 mg/L. Schoeller diagrams reveal that the gas in bedrock is coal related. A pumping and recovery test in the deep well suggests that there is unlikely any hydraulic communication between the bedrock and surficial aquifers encountered at Oyster River. This assessment is based on infrequent water level measurements in the shallow well, which did not consistently draw down during pumping of the deeper well. However, the pumping rate was not sustainable for this test and it could not be held constant. Fracture transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity for the bedrock aquifer were estimated using the Theis Recovery method at 7.06 x 10-7 m2/s and 2.29 x 10-7 m/s, respectively. The hydrogeological research conducted at Comox and Oyster River highlights the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach for subsurface investigations. This study contributes site level data upon which regional inferences can be built for the Comox Coalfield.

When a jack-up foundation is installed on seabeds consisting of a sand layer overlying soft clay, potential for 'punch-through' failure exists. This happens due to an abrupt reduction in bearing resistance when the foundation punches a block of sand into the underlying soft clay in an uncontrolled manner. This can lead to a sudden large penetration that can cause temporary decommissioning and even toppling of the unit. This research has addressed this problem with the aim of developing a practical design method for the jack-up industry to assess potential punch-through hazards. This objective has been achieved with the successful development of a new conceptual model for predicting the peak penetration resistance and a consistent method for constructing a complete resistance profile of spudcan foundations penetrating through sand into the underlying clay. The analytical basis of the new conceptual model follows the approach for silo analysis, and takes into account the stress level and dilatant response of sand. It is therefore a significant improvement over the punching shear and load spread models recommended in the current industry guidelines SNAME (2002), which do not consider the strength properties of the sand. To provide relevant experimental data for the new model, an extensive series of 30 continuous penetration tests were performed using the UWA drum centrifuge. These experimental results were retrospectively simulated using finite element (FE) analysis, in order to back-calculate the stress-level dependent friction and dilation angles in the sand during peak penetration resistance. The back-analysis showed that larger values of peak resistance gave lower friction and dilation angles, which is consistent with gradual suppression of dilatancy under high confining stress. When compared to published results from visualisation experiments, the FE analysis showed a similar failure mechanism during peak resistance, where a frustum of sand was forced into the underlying clay, with the outer angle reflecting the dilation in the sand. This has formed the basis of the new conceptual model. The performance of the new model in predicting the experimental peak resistance was compared with other existing analytical methods. Additional experimental results, including those already in the literature, were incorporated in the comparative study. It was found that the new conceptual model generally gave a good prediction of the experimental values, while the prediction from SNAME (2002) was conservative, with the predicted values being about half the experimental results on average. It was also shown that the new model could be modified to predict the post-peak penetration resistance in the sand layer. Finally, an analytical method for predicting the resistance profiles in the underlying clay was devised based on new bearing capacity factors developed through FE analysis. By joining the values of peak resistance, post-peak resistance and the resistance profile in the underlying clay, a complete simplified penetration resistance profile for spudcan foundations in sand overlying clay can be generated. The predicted profiles were shown to match the experimental results well.

[Formulae and special characters can not be reproduced here. Please see the pdf version of the Abstract for an accurate reproduction.] The thesis provides a comprehensive study on the behaviour of sand with a small amount of fines [i.e.1/3 plastic fines and 2/3 non-plastic fines]. The work is carried out experimentally under axi-symmetric conditions using the triaxial apparatus. Conventional drained triaxial tests are conducted on isotropic consolidated specimens and all the tests indicate that sand with fines does not manifest any unusual behaviour under drained conditions. However in undrained shearing the so-called ???reverse behaviour??? is noted. The study demonstrates that the reverse behaviour conforms to the critical state framework because significant changes in the position and geometry of the critical state [CS] and isotropic consolidation [IL] lines are caused by the presence of fines. These changes cannot be adequately modelled by the intergranular void ratio as proposed by Thevanayagam and Mohan (2000). This study also demonstrates that the original state parameter [special character] as proposed by Been and Jefferies (1985) is not an adequate parameter to predict the undrained behaviour trend. A new parameter termed ???modified state parameter??? [special character] is proposed to account for the combined effects of density and confining pressure. The suitability of the modified state parameter to characterise the response of parent sand and sand with fines is assessed for a range of void ratios and confining pressures. The effect of drained stress history is an important factor affecting the subsequent undrained response. Drained pre-shearing to failure is found to improve considerably the subsequent undrained response to the extent that liquefaction may not occur. Different drained pre-shearing histories have different effects on the undrained response. However in these tests [special character] has limitations in quantifying the subsequent undrained stress-strain response. Hence, a new framework of ???yielding parameter??? [special character] extends the capability of [special character] and additional data is presented to demonstrate the suitability of this concept. The implementation of [special character] depends on whether the previous stress state reached during the stress history is below or at failure. The effects of drained pre-shearing on the position and movement of failure surface are investigated. It is found that drained pre-shearing to failure at larger confining pressures has the effect of shifting upwards part of the drained failure surface. The shift at larger stress ratios [special character] may be described in terms of dilatancy and modified state parameter at failure. The so-called strain path tests are conducted to study the influence of strain increment ratio on the deformation behaviour of sand with fines. It is found that the value of [special character] has significant effects on the stress-strain behaviour. Along negative [special character] paths the soil strain softens in the form of decreasing the shear resistance before reaching the failure state. In contrast, along positive [special character] paths the soil strain hardens to an asymptotic stress ratio. The asymptotic stress ratio decreases with increasing [special character] along a linear relationship. The framework of [special character] cannot quantify the stress-strain response along positive and negative strain paths. Consequently an ???instability parameter??? [special character] is proposed to extend the capabilities of [special character] and the reliability of this parameter is further assessed. The behaviour along a range of positive and negative [special character] paths is investigated on pre-sheared specimens. In negative [special character] the effective stress paths reach a surface located higher than the monotonic failure surface on which they trace downward towards the origin of stress space. The results indicate this surface may be the same as the drained failure envelope which has been shifted as a result of drained pre-shearing. In positive [special character] paths a large improvement is noted in both the strength and stiffness of the soil. Note The parameters [special character] and [special character] are all generalisations of [special character] so that the behaviour under complex conditions can be characterised.

This research is the outcome of investigations of the ability of Nitella congesta, a charophyte, to hyperaccumulate metal contaminants, as well as contribute to the sustainable development of a chain of lakes derived from the sand mine voids at Capel 250km south of Perth, Western Australia. Studies were conducted to ascertain the taxonomy of Nitella congesta as well as its life cycle pattern in relation to the hydrological regime of the lakes of the wetlands. It was observed that a decrease in the availability of water in the lakes particularly on the onset of summer, initiated the production of fruiting bodies whiles prolonged availability of water ensured a prolonged vegetative growth. / Aquatic plants play an important role in the structuring of freshwater communities. Freshwater macrophytes such as Nitella congesta have been reported to serve as food source as well as provide refuge and shelter for macroinvertebrates. Thus the presence of freshwater macrophytes in one way or the other has a direct impact on the species abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates that use them as their habitat. A study of the impact of Nitella congesta as a suitable macrophyte on diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates showed a positive outcome. It was observed that species richness and diversity were high in Nitella congesta dominated sites of the lakes. Experimental outcome showed that Nitella congesta is a hyperaccumulator of metals. Both the mucilage and the thallus displayed concentrations of few metals. / The disappearance of submerged macrophytes such as charophytes in shallow lakes is a major problem caused by eutrophication. There has been an approved proposal to discharge treated waste water with a phosphorus concentration of about 4,000μg/L into the lakes of the Capel Wetlands Centre. This necessitated a study of the impact of eutrophication on the establishment of Nitella congesta as a functional macrophyte for the enhancement of the ecological structure of the wetlands. / Results showed that though eutrophication will initially increase the primary productivity of the lakes of the wetlands, the eventual consequence will be the loss of Nitella congesta as a functional macrophyte in the wetlands. / At the last stage of the study, a consistent decrease in pH readings of the lakes and lack of successful germination of Nitella congesta as a result of prolonged drought and exposure of the lake sediment was observed. This necessitated a thorough study of the impact of climate change on the establishment of Nitella congesta in the wetlands. In conclusion, it was observed that Nitella congesta could serve as a suitable tool for the rehabilitation of the wetlands.

[Truncated abstract] The demand for offshore wind turbines is increasing in densely populated areas, such as Europe. These constructions are typically founded on a gravity foundation or a large 'mono pile'. Gravity foundations can only be used at locations where strong soils exist and water depths are limited. Costs associated with a 'mono pile' type foundation contribute to a very large percentage of the total investment costs. This research, therefore, focuses upon a different foundation for offshore wind turbines, namely suction caissons beneath a tripod. This foundation can be used in all kinds of soil types and is cheaper than the 'mono pile' foundation, both in the amount of steel used and installation costs. Cheaper foundations can contribute to a more competitive price for offshore wind energy in comparison with other energy resources. To date, there have been relatively few studies to investigate the behaviour of this type of foundation during the installation process and during operational and ultimate loading for seabed conditions comprising dense sand. Two types of investigations were performed during this research to determine the behaviour of suction caissons beneath a tripod. Firstly, an existing computer program was extended to predict the typical loading conditions for a tripod foundation. Secondly, centrifuge tests on small scale suction caissons were performed to investigate the behaviour during the installation and loading phases. The computer program developed helped to quantify the likely ranges of environmental loading on an offshore wind turbine. For a typical 3 MW wind turbine of 90 m height, the vertical load is low at around 7 MN. During storm conditions the horizontal hydrodynamic load can be in the order of 4 MN. During normal working conditions the horizontal aerodynamic loads can reach 0.4 MN, but can increase to 1.2 MN when the pitch system malfunctions and gusts reach 30 m/s. This aerodynamic load will result in a very large contribution to the overturning moment, due to the high action point of this load. When the wind turbine is placed on top of a tripod, these large moments are counteracted by a push-pull system. ... The development of differential pressure was found to depend on the soil permeability, the extraction speed and a consolidation effect. During cyclic loading no obvious signs of a decrease in resistance were observed. During very fast cyclic loading differential pressures developed, which could increase the drained frictional resistance by approximately 40%. All centrifuge tests results were used to develop methods to predict or back calculate the installation process of suction caissons in sand and layered soil, and the behaviour during tensile and cyclic loading. These methods all use the cone resistance as the main input parameter and predict the force (or required suction) as a function of time, for a given rate of pumping or uplift displacement, in addition to the variation of suction with penetration (or force with uplift displacement). These new methods provide a useful tool in designing a reliable foundation for offshore wind turbines consisting of a tripod arrangement of suction caissons embedded in dense sand.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Children with specific learning disability (SLD) struggle with reading, spelling and/or writing, and tend to have poor narrative skills (Fey, Catts, Proctor-Williams, Tomblin & Zhang, 2004; Scanlon, 2013). Although learners with SLD mostly use grammatical sentences after discharge from conventional speech-language therapy, they often still struggle with creating narratives and find comprehension tasks challenging. For this study, I chose an action research design (McNiff & Whitehead, 2013). I used a lesser known therapy approach with some of these learners, in an attempt to ascertain whether kinetic methods of teaching language can improve their narrative skills. The research question posed was: What changes in narrative skills (if any), measured in terms of micro and macro structure, are brought about by the Sandtray Play Approach (STPA) in first language (L1) Afrikaans-speaking Grade 3 learners with SLDs? I used the STPA with four L1 Afrikaans-speaking Grade 3 boys with SLD over a course of six weeks (on average two therapy sessions per week). During each session, they each choose a variety of miniature objects with which they individually built a so-called “Sandworld” in their own sandtray. After each Sandworld was built, the boys took turns telling their story and listening to those of the other group member. After each narration, each listener made one positive comment and asked one question about the story. During the intervention period, I regularly presented mini-sessions teaching the participants how to create, improve and expand their narratives. The Language in Multilingual Society: Multilingual Assessment of Narratives (LITMUS: MAIN-Afrikaans) (Gagarina, Klop, Kunnari, Tantele, Valimaa, Baluciuniene, Bohnacker, & Walters, 2012) was used to analyse pre- and post-intervention narratives in terms of story structure components; (in)completeness of episodes; mean length of utterance (in words); and use of subordinating and co-ordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs and internal state terms. The pre- and post-intervention results of the four boys in the experimental group were compared to those of four boys who did not receive any STPA intervention and who formed the control group. All eight participants had been clinically diagnosed as presenting with an SLD. Comparisons of the LITMUS: MAIN-Afrikaans scores indicated inter-group differences: Post-intervention, the experimental group used a higher number of story structure components, internal state terms, words, and utterances (those linguistic aspects introduced and practised during STPA intervention) than the control group. The experimental group’s Sandtray narratives also increased in multiple areas of structural complexity – e.g., in the use of conjunctive adverbs; subordinating and co-ordinating conjunctions; and embedding. These results have implications for speech-language therapy practice, showing that the STPA is potentially a valuable resource for teaching narrative skills to learners with SLD, and that positive changes can be observed in as little as six weeks. The STPA has been used in Europe with learners with hearing or learning impairment and with mainstream learners. In the South African context, it appears only to have been used to teach oral language use to deaf learners; and no South African studies on the use of the STPA for narrative skill development could be traced. This study was the first of its kind and indicated that using the STPA can assist Speech-Language Therapists in developing narrative skills of children with atypical language development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kinders met spesifieke leergestremdheid (SLG) sukkel met lees, spelling en/of skryf, en neig om swak narratiefvaardighede te hê (Fey, Catts, Proctor-Williams, Tomblin & Zhang, 2004; Scanlon, 2013). Alhoewel leerders met SLG meestal grammatikale sinne gebruik ná ontslag uit konvensionele spraak-taalterapie, sukkel hulle steeds gereeld met narratiefproduksie en begripstake. Vir hierdie studie het ek gekies om ‘n aksienavorsingsmetode (McNiff & Whitehead, 2013) te gebruik. Ek het ‘n minder bekende terapiebenadering met sommige van hierdie leerders gevolg, in 'n poging om vas te stel of kinetiese metodes van taalonderrig hulle narratiefvaardighede kan verbeter. Die navorsingsvraag was: Watter veranderinge in narratiefvaardighede (indien enige), gemeet in terme van makro- en mikrostruktuur, word teweeg gebring deur die Sandbak-Speelbenadering (SBSB) in eerstetaal- (T1) Afrikaanssprekende Graad 3-leerders met SLG? Ek het die SBSB met vier T1 Afrikaanssprekende Graad 3-seuns met SLG oor ses weke gebruik (gemiddeld twee terapiesessies per week). Tydens hierdie sessies het elkeen ‘n verskeidenheid miniatuur voorwerpe gekies waarmee elkeen individueel ‘n sogenaamde “Sandwêreld” in hulle eie sandbakkie gebou het. Nadat elke Sandwêreld gebou is, het die seuns beurte geneem om hulle storie te vertel en na die stories van die ander groeplede te luister. Nadat elke storie vertel is, het elke luisteraar een positiewe punt van kommentaar oor die storie gelewer en een vraag oor die storie gevra. Gedurende die intervensietydperk het ek gereeld mini-sessies aangebied om die deelnemers te leer hoe om narratiewe te skep, te verbeter en uit te brei. Die Language in Multilingual Society: Multilingual Assessment of Narratives (LITMUS: MAIN-Afrikaans) (Gagarina, Klop, Kunnari, Tantele, Valimaa, Baluciuniene, Bohnacker, & Walters, 2012) is gebruik om voor- en ná-intervensie-narratiewe te ontleed in terme van storiestruktuurkomponente; (on)volledigheid van episodes; gemiddelde lengte van uiting (in woorde); en die gebruik van onderskikkende en neweskikkende voegwoorde, verbindingsbywoorde en interne toestand-terme. Ek het hierdie tellings vergelyk met dié behaal deur 'n kontrolegroep (vier manlike klasmaats van die eksperimentele groep). Ek het ook 'n seleksie van drie verteenwoordigende sandbaknarratiewe per eksperimentele groepdeelnemer in terme van hierdie metings geassesseer Al ag deelnemers is klinies gediagnoseer met SLG. Vergelykings van die LITMUS: MAIN-Afrikaans-tellings het inter-groepsverskille aangetoon: Die eksperimentele groep het ná intervensie ‘n groter aantal storiestruktuurkomponente, interne toestand-terme, woorde en uitinge (d.i. daardie linguistieke aspekte wat bekendgestel en geoefen is tydens SBSB-intervensie) gebruik as die kontrolegroep. Die eksperimentele groep se sandbaknarratiewe het ook toegeneem in terme van veelvuldige areas van strukturele kompleksiteit – byvoorbeeld in die gebruik van verbindingsbywoorde, onderskikkende en neweskikkende voegwoorde, en inbedding. Hierdie resultate het implikasies vir spraak-taalterapiepraktyk: Dit toon aan dat die SBSB potensieel ‘n waardevolle hulpbron is vir die leer van narratiefvaardighede aan leerders met SLG, en dat positiewe veranderinge in so min as ses weke waarneembaar is. Die SBSB word in Europa met leerders met gehoor- of leergestremdheid gebruik asook met hoofstroomleerders. In die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks is dit skynbaar nog slegs gebruik om gehoorgestremdes te leer praat; geen Suid-Afrikaanse studies oor die gebruik van die SBSB vir narratiefvaardigheidsontwikkeling kon gevind word nie. Hierdie studie was die eerste van sy soort en toon aan dat die gebruik van die SBSB Spraak-Taalterapeute kan help om narratiefvaardighede te ontwikkel in kinders met atipiese taalontwikkeling.