Managing Speech Sound Disorders in Children with Cerebral Palsy: South African Speech Therapists’ Perspectives

Abstract

This research study explored South African speech-language therapists’ (SLTs) perceptions and practices when managing children (between the ages of 2 and 17 years) with cerebral palsy (CP) diagnosed with a speech disorder. This study followed a sequential mixed-methods approach, comprising an online survey and online focus group discussion component to assess SLTs’ assessment and management practices, facilitators, and barriers to therapy services, SLTs’ cultural responsiveness within practice, and recommendations by SLTs to improve service delivery. Using purposive and snowball sampling, 52 participants were recruited via online platforms, such as Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, and the South African Speech-Language- Hearing Association (SASLHA) website. Of the 52 participants who completed the online survey component of the study, two groups of three SLTs each took part in the focus group discussion, following a semi-structured interview schedule. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and thematic analysis, specifically the inductive approach. This study was guided by the Collaborative Care Model to further explain and analyse participant perspectives, providing a suitable framework for more holistic therapy management. This study’s findings identified gaps in research and policymaking among the SLT profession and CP services. It also pointed to a lack of confidence among SLTs given the scarcity of SLT-CP specific training and accessibility to targeted resources to provide effective services to children with CP diagnosed with a speech disorder within a diverse South African setting. This study recommends that the field of Speech and Language Therapy relooks at the practicality and execution of policies and trainings to ensure capability and confidence amongst SLTs when working within this population. This study supports and guides future research on South African disability policies, training, and clinical frameworks for the speech-language therapy profession.