Queen Margaret University logo
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   QMU Repositories
    • eTheses
    • Postgraduate
    • MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
    • View Item
    •   QMU Repositories
    • eTheses
    • Postgraduate
    • MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    SLT service provision for individuals with Down's syndrome- a survey of UK therapists

    View/Open
    11418.pdf (1.373Mb)
    Date
    2019-04
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    with Down’s Syndrome (DS) have a unique behavioural, physical, and cognitive profile that contributes to significant communication needs that persist throughout the lifespan. Despite this, reports suggest that individuals with DS receive limited Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services. There is an assumption in the literature that the amount of services offered to individuals with DS decreases with age, although individuals with DS can make progress throughout adolescence and adulthood in all areas of communication. There is also an assumption that speech intelligibility is not a priority for therapy for individuals with DS, even though individuals with DS often present with severe speech disorders that have a negative impact on their participation and wellbeing. However, there is no research exploring current service provision in the UK to support these assumptions. The aim of the study was two-fold: 1. To investigate SLT services currently offered to individuals with DS in the UK. 2. To gather opinion on whether SLTs would like to target specific areas of communication and swallowing more frequently and if so current barriers towards this. An electronic questionnaire investigating service delivery was distributed via email and Twitter to SLTs who work with individuals with DS in the UK. The majority of services were offered to young children with DS. 13-16 years olds (yo) were the least serviced age group. Dysphagia was a priority for young children (0-3yo) and adults (13-65+yo). The areas of communication identified as being addressed most frequently, or in need of more services differed according to age, although there was a tendency for language to be prioritised over speech. SLTs reported several reasons why services were restricted, including inadequate time/resources, and the knowledge and capacity of other professionals.
    URI
    https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/11418
    Collections
    • MSc in Speech and Language Therapy

    Queen Margaret University: Research Repositories
    Accessibility Statement | Repository Policies | Contact Us | Send Feedback | HTML Sitemap

     

    Browse

    All QMU RepositoriesCommunities & CollectionsBy YearBy PersonBy TitleBy QMU AuthorBy Research CentreThis CollectionBy YearBy PersonBy TitleBy QMU AuthorBy Research Centre

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Queen Margaret University: Research Repositories
    Accessibility Statement | Repository Policies | Contact Us | Send Feedback | HTML Sitemap