Challenges and solutions in speech-language pathology service delivery across Australia and Canada

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Lim ◽  
Patricia McCabe ◽  
Alison Purcell
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Barriers To Service ◽  
Main Barrier

Background, aims and objectives: This study aimed to compare the perception of barriers to service delivery among speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Canada and Australia and the extent to which they used parent or carer training to overcome these barriers.  Methods: Participants were 81 Australian and 63 Canadian SLPs who completed an online survey. Questions comprised open ended and forced choice questions with some ranking of questions also required. Chi-square analyses were conducted comparing Canadian and Australian SLPs.  Results: Few differences existed among the respondents. Respondents overwhelmingly selected “not enough speech-language pathology positions to meet demand” as their main barrier. This barrier along with “parents/carer’s lack of knowledge about the need for speech-language pathology”, “lack of parent/carer engagement” and “lack of awareness of role of speech-language pathologist” were the principal barriers. Training parents and carers to conduct therapy at home was the most used strategy among both Canadian and Australian SLPs.  Discussion: The finding that the SLPs perceive low engagement from parents both in the training sessions and when working with their child may suggest that there is a need for speech-language pathologists to determine more effective ways to train and engage parents and carers.  Conclusion: More research into the efficacy of parent or carer training across a wider range of speech-language pathology practice areas and across a more diverse range of parents or carers needs to be undertaken.

How Graduate Students With Vocal Fry Are Perceived by Speech-Language Pathologists

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sally K. Gallena ◽  
James A. Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Geographical Locations ◽  
Tests Of Independence

Purpose Vocal fry (VF), a low-pitched, grating voice quality, appears to be trending among young women. Current research lacks consensus of listeners' perceptions associated with VF. This study investigated practicing speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perceptions of graduate speech-language pathology students who speak with VF. Method Thirty-two graduate students were recorded reading the Rainbow Passage and providing a brief monologue. VF was detected perceptually and acoustically for all 32 students' recordings. For the 127-syllable passage, percent of VF (%VF) ranged from 2.36% (three syllables) to 40.16% (51 syllables) with an average of 12.25% (15 syllables). Twelve recorded passages were selected and sorted into two statistically significant groups ( p = .001; seven with the most %VF and five with the least). Passage samples were randomly uploaded into a Qualtrics survey. Practicing SLPs listened to each sample and provided categorical and visual analog ratings for voice pleasantness and perceived speaker competence, education, hirability, and professionalism. Results The online survey was completed by 150 experienced SLPs who spanned differing geographical locations, work settings, and years of experience. Chi-square tests of independence and independent-samples t tests revealed statistically significant findings for all rated characteristics, indicating that VF samples were less pleasant, and their users less competent, hirable, educated, and professional. Conclusions These findings support those of Gottliebson et al. (2007), whereby 32% of our cohort had ≥ 15 instances of VF during passage reading, and those of Anderson et al. (2014), that VF negatively impacts how a speaker is perceived. Speech-language pathology graduate students should be cognizant of VF use, as they seek to secure competitive externships and jobs.

The Speech-Language Pathologist and Reading: Opportunities to Extend Services for the Children We Serve

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela J. Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Reading Disabilities ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
The Past ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Reading Impairments

Abstract In recent years, major changes have occurred in the field of speech-language pathology and education. In the past 2 decades researchers, educators, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have increased their focus on the identification, assessment, and treatment of reading disabilities in children (Catts, 1991; Catts, Fey, Zhang, & Tomblin, 2001; Justice & Ezell, 2004; Kaderavek & Justice, 2004). The primary goal of this article is to discuss a variety of ways that the speech-language pathologist can be both directly and indirectly involved in working with children who present with language and reading impairments. For example, Baylor University's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has had the opportunity to be involved in the prevention, identification, and treatment of reading disabilities in children both in a direct and indirect way.

Never Assume! Mentoring the Connections Between Theory and Practice

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-148
Author(s):  
Jill Parmenter ◽  
Paula McGraw
Keyword(s):  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
The Future ◽  
Language Pathology

Abstract Mentoring is one of the most important services experienced speech-language pathologists can provide to the profession of speech-language pathology. The mentoring we provide today will impact the future of the profession. This article will examine the roles and responsibilities of a mentoring speech-language pathologist, considering the specific needs of a Clinical Fellow (CF) as well as the mentoring needed for professionals throughout their careers.

Academic, Clinical, and Educational Experiences of Self-Identified Fluency Specialists

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey A. Coalson ◽  
Courtney T. Byrd ◽  
Elizabeth Rives
Keyword(s):  
Professional Training ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Clinical Practicum ◽  
Fluency Disorders ◽  
Graduate Curriculum ◽  
Language Pathology

Purpose The purpose of the present study is to examine whether the academic, clinical, and fluency-related student experiences of professionals who self-identify as having specialized knowledge of fluency disorders differ from those who do not. Method An online survey was developed to identify the academic, clinical, and specific fluency-related experiences professionals had when they were undergraduate and graduate students. The survey was completed by 219 professionals within the field of speech-language pathology (122 self-identified specialists, 97 self-identified non-specialists). Results Considerable overlap was observed in training experiences of self-identified specialists and non-specialists. However, Chi-square analyses revealed a significantly greater proportion of self-identified specialists reported (a) completion of a dedicated course in fluency disorders during undergraduate and graduate curriculum, (b) interaction with five or more fluency clients during clinical practicum, and (c) exposure to specific fluency-related activities such as voluntary stuttering and attendance at a fluency-related support group. Conclusions Findings suggest that despite the degree of overlap between self-identified specialists' and non-specialists' pre-professional training, the quantity and quality of certain experiences may influence future decisions to focus more exclusively on working with persons who stutter.

Alternative Models for Collaboration

1993 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven C. Russell ◽  
Joan N. Kaderavek
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Peer Coaching ◽  
Collaborative Partnership ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Collaborative Consultation ◽  
Alternative Models ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Alternative Approaches

Recently, collaborative consultation has been proposed as a viable means of service delivery for speech-language pathology services in the schools. This article responds to these discussions by suggesting alternative models that may assist speech-language pathologists in overcoming potential barriers to effective collaboration. Two alternative approaches for collaborative partnership are discussed: peer coaching and co-teaching.

scholarly journals “Tell Me About Your Child”: A Grounded Theory Study of Mothers' Understanding of Language Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 819-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea C. Ash ◽  
Tyler T. Christopulos ◽  
Sean M. Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Language Disorders ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Diagnostic Labels ◽  
Psychological Harm ◽  
Language Pathology

Purpose The purpose of this study was to generate a theory grounded in data explaining caregivers' understanding of their child's language disorder and the perceived role of speech-language pathologists in facilitating this knowledge. Method This study employed grounded theory as a conceptual framework. Qualitative data were generated based on semistructured interviews conducted with 12 mothers of children who had received speech-language pathology services. Results The following themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) Many mothers reported receiving confusing or irrelevant diagnostic terms for language disorder, (b) mothers of children with language disorders were distressed about their children's language problems, (c) mothers did not always trust or understand their children's speech-language pathologist, and (d) mothers were satisfied with the interventions their child had been receiving. Mothers described their children's language disorder using a total of 23 labels, most of which were not useful for accessing meaningful information about the nature of their child's communication problem. Generally, mothers reported they did not receive language-related diagnostic labels from speech-language pathologists for their child's language disorder. Conclusions Two theories were generated from the results: (a) Lack of information provided to mothers about their child's language disorder causes mothers psychological harm that appears to be long lasting. (b) Difficulties in successfully relaying information about language disorders to parents result in negative perceptions of speech-language pathology. Implications and future directions are discussed. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12177390

The Development of a New Era of Speech-Language Pathology in Greece

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinella Tsoukala ◽  
Rebecca Tziorvas
Keyword(s):  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Government ◽  
Exciting Time ◽  
The Many

Speech-language pathology services in Greece continue to expand, and it is an exciting time to be a speech-language pathologist within the existing structure. The role of speech-language pathologists in Greece has changed over the years from therapist, to include educator, advocate, and politician. The many tasks facing speech-language pathologists in Greece have been difficult ones. It has taken patience and persistence to educate the general public about communication disorders and the role of speech-language pathologists in treating these problems. It has also been arduous to convince the government to recognize our profession and its value within the community. We believe that by the establishment of a speech-language department at a Greek university, our profession will be fortified and renewed. The development of a university-based training program will aid in the creation of posts in educational and hospital settings, as well as bridge the gap that exists between the current number of speech-language pathologists and the number of people requiring treatment. Furthermore, the creation of a university department will allow for much needed research within the Greek community. In particular, it may aid in the gathering of normative data and the standardization of tests for the Greek population. The path in establishing speech-language pathology education and services in Greece is a long one, but through our commitment and our energetic and earnest approach, we hope to reach our goals.

The need for qualified speech-language pathologists in rural/remote areas

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Dublinske
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Master's Degree ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Master’S Degree

Administrators in rural/remote areas often ask if the speech-language pathologist must have a master's degree to provide services. This article includes discussions of the types of services provided by speech-language pathologists, and the differences in professional education between a master's degree and a bachelor's degree for a speech-language pathologist. Alternatives are presented for providing speech-language pathology services to rural/remote areas that do not require an on-site qualified speech-language pathologist.

Considering the Language Disorder Label Debate From a School Speech-Language Pathology Lens

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Murza ◽  
Barbara J. Ehren
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
School Based ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Education Act

Purpose The purpose of this article is to situate the recent language disorder label debate within a school's perspective. As described in two recent The ASHA Leader articles, there is international momentum to change specific language impairment to developmental language disorder . Proponents of this change cite increased public awareness and research funding as part of the rationale. However, it is unclear whether this label debate is worthwhile or even practical for the school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP). A discussion of the benefits and challenges to a shift in language disorder labels is provided. Conclusions Although there are important arguments for consistency in labeling childhood language disorder, the reality of a label change in U.S. schools is hard to imagine. School-based services are driven by eligibility through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which has its own set of labels. There are myriad reasons why advocating for the developmental language disorder label may not be the best use of SLPs' time, perhaps the most important of which is that school SLPs have other urgent priorities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document