Speech and language therapists' insights into severity of speech sound disorders in children for developing the speech sound disorder severity construct.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children with speech sound disorders (SSD) are at higher risk of communication breakdown, but the impact of having an SSD may vary from child to child. Determining the severity of SSD helps speech-language therapists (SLTs) to recognise the extent of the problem and to identify and prioritise children who require intervention.

Aims

This study aimed to identify severity factors for SSD in order to develop a multifactorial Speech Sound Disorder Severity Construct (SSDSC) using SLTs' views and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Method

In an explorative five-staged qualitative study, the research question was answered: 'How do SLTs determine the severity of SSD in children?'. A total of 91 SLTs from The Netherlands par

SUBMITTER: van Doornik A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11946931 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature