Publicação

Speech and language therapy service delivery: overcoming limited provision for children

Detalhes bibliográficos
Resumo:	Objectives: To test an alternative Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service delivery model based on partnerships between a University and local schools and charities, and to report on the impact and feasibility of intervention based on long-term outcome measures and three case studies with individual analysis of Reliable Change. Study design: The following six-step model was tested: 1—establishing partnerships; 2—flagging children; 3—pre-treatment SLT assessment; 4—reporting and discussion with parents and teachers; 5—treatment; 6—post-treatment assessment. Case studies are presented. Methods: A partnership was established with one kindergarten in a pre-test and a total of 25 kindergartens during the second phase of the process. A group of 139 children were then flagged and assessed. The following long-term outcomes (18 months post-therapy) were investigated: phonetic-phonological standardised test percentiles and raw scores; receptive and expressive language percentiles and raw scores according to a standardised language test; percentage of syllables stuttered; duration of stuttering moments; academic achievement in norm-tests’ core areas (mathematics, Portuguese language and social studies). Case studies and a 95% credible interval analysis to assess Reliable Change are presented. Results: Seventy five (54%) children needed SLT support. Fifty (67%) of those children returned to the clinic for long-term assessments and the analysis of all outcome measures showed significant improvements in their performance, 18 months post-therapy. Case Studies Reliable Change analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement, which also clearly shows the feasibility and the positive impact of the intervention. Conclusions: This specialised and differentiated care network constitutes an alternative delivery system of SLT services that addresses the lack of support currently experienced by children and their families. The long-term outcome measures and the 95% credible interval analysis are reliable methods to determine the impact of interventions.
Autores principais:	Jesus, Luís Miguel Teixeira de
Outros Autores:	Martinez, Joana; Valente, Ana Rita; Costa, Maria da Conceição
Assunto:	Service delivery, Speech and language therapy, School-based services, Children
Ano:	2017
País:	Portugal
Tipo de documento:	artigo
Tipo de acesso:	acesso aberto
Instituição associada:	Universidade de Aveiro
Idioma:	inglês
Origem:	RIA - Repositório Institucional da Universidade de Aveiro

Descrição
Resumo:	Objectives: To test an alternative Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service delivery model based on partnerships between a University and local schools and charities, and to report on the impact and feasibility of intervention based on long-term outcome measures and three case studies with individual analysis of Reliable Change. Study design: The following six-step model was tested: 1—establishing partnerships; 2—flagging children; 3—pre-treatment SLT assessment; 4—reporting and discussion with parents and teachers; 5—treatment; 6—post-treatment assessment. Case studies are presented. Methods: A partnership was established with one kindergarten in a pre-test and a total of 25 kindergartens during the second phase of the process. A group of 139 children were then flagged and assessed. The following long-term outcomes (18 months post-therapy) were investigated: phonetic-phonological standardised test percentiles and raw scores; receptive and expressive language percentiles and raw scores according to a standardised language test; percentage of syllables stuttered; duration of stuttering moments; academic achievement in norm-tests’ core areas (mathematics, Portuguese language and social studies). Case studies and a 95% credible interval analysis to assess Reliable Change are presented. Results: Seventy five (54%) children needed SLT support. Fifty (67%) of those children returned to the clinic for long-term assessments and the analysis of all outcome measures showed significant improvements in their performance, 18 months post-therapy. Case Studies Reliable Change analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement, which also clearly shows the feasibility and the positive impact of the intervention. Conclusions: This specialised and differentiated care network constitutes an alternative delivery system of SLT services that addresses the lack of support currently experienced by children and their families. The long-term outcome measures and the 95% credible interval analysis are reliable methods to determine the impact of interventions.