Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions of Treating Adolescents and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in South Korea about treating adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities.Methods: Survey results of 107 SLPs in South Korea were analyzed in the current study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis procedures.Results: Majority of the participants (92/107 participants) had treatment experience of adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. However, such a treatment was mainly for middle- and high-school students with developmental disabilities. Furthermore the recognition of necessity of therapy, knowledge and confidence level were higher for middle- and high-school students than adults with developmental disabilities (p < 0.05). In addition, most participants acknowledged that the lack of financial support was a reason for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities not to receive speech language treatment.Conclusion: The results of the current study emphasized that financial support would be needed to provide more appropriate speech language treatment for adults with developmental disabilities. In addition, there should be more re-education programs on developmental disabilities in order to help SLPs to provide more efficient treatment for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities.