Date of Graduation
5-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science Education
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders
Advisor/Mentor
Hagstrom, Fran
Committee Member/Reader
Aslin, Larry
Committee Member/Second Reader
Agan, Joseph P.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the understanding that parents have about the diagnostic process associated with co-occurring minor speech, language, and hearing problems in young children. The participants were 16 parents of young children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. The materials consisted of a questionnaire that delineated the diagnoses of the problem and referrals experienced by parents, which was electronically distributed by posting the link to social media sites. Results of the study indicate most parents reported only single issues such as ear infections or differences in oral structures/functions. Only 5 respondents indicated that their children faced complex issues. While most of these were distinctly identified as a combination of speech and hearing issues, two participants indicated that the problems experience by their children were more vague and difficult to determine that those listed in the study questionnaire. The main source for diagnosis and intervention were medical whether this is associated with medical or surgery. Therapy was only reported for oral structure/function issues and speech-language pathology were the therapy of choice. Recommendations for this study would include expanding distribution of the questionnaire to a larger area of study, clarity of the questionnaire as to obtain the answers sought, and including the experience of the professionals via a separate questionnaire.
Citation
Anderson, B. (2014). The complexity of diagnosis for co-occurring minor speech, language and hearing problems: perception of parents. Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/rhrcuht/8
