How speech and language therapists and parents work together in the therapeutic process for children with speech sound disorder: A scoping review
Authors: Pritchard Katherine , Stojanovik Vesna , Titterington Jill , Pagnamenta Emma 
Published: November 2024

Background:

Speech sound disorders (SSDs) are broadly defined as difficulty producing speech sounds in childhood. Reported prevalence of SSD varies from 2.3% to 24.6%, depending on how SSD is defined and the included age range. SSDs that do not resolve before age 8 can have a lasting impact on a child's academic achievements. The intensity of intervention for SSD is important to ensure effectiveness. However, there is a gap between the evidence base for intensity and speech and language therapists’ (SLTs) clinical practice. One way that SLTs try to bridge this gap is by working with parents. SLTs believe that working with parents/caregivers is vital for a child with SSD to make progress.

Aims:

To conduct a scoping review of the literature to provide a comprehensive picture of the perceptions, experiences and strategies underpinning collaborative working between SLTs and parents/caregivers of children (aged ≤ 5 years 11 months) with SSD to increase intervention intensity at home.

Methods & Procedures:

This scoping review was completed in accordance with PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, PsycInfo, CINHAL, Web of Science, EBSCOhost and EThOS was conducted using synonyms of three key terms: SSD, Therapy, Parents. Key journals and papers were hand searched for unique papers. A total of 29 papers were included for review. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis to develop themes. These themes are discussed using the PAGER framework to identify advances, gaps, evidence for practice and areas for future research.

Main contribution:

Seven key themes were identified: individualization, setting expectations, daily life, parental knowledge, parental involvement, therapeutic relationships and supporting parents to deliver home practice. There has been an acceleration of research around working with parents of children with SSD, with increased consideration of effective adult coaching techniques. Parents value the parental and child relationship with the SLT and feel this supports the success of home practice. There is a need for further research, and guidance for SLTs working with parents of children with SSD to enable them to support parents to deliver home practice effectively.

Conclusions & Implications:

Emerging evidence supports the value of SLTs and parents working together to support home practice for children with SSD. The review highlighted the importance of SLTs allocating time to build positive therapeutic relationships with parents to support engagement in therapy. Approaching intervention, in particular, home practice, flexibly and in collaboration with parents, allows parents to fit home practice into their daily lives. Providing clear information to parents supports the fidelity of, and engagement in, home practice.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject

There is a gap between what is recommended in the evidence base for intervention intensity for children with SSD and current clinical practice worldwide. SLTs try to bridge this gap through home practice and believe that working with parents/caregivers is vital for children with SSD to make progress. However, little is known about the best ways for SLTs to work with parents for this population.

What this paper adds to the existing knowledge

Training parents to be implementers of intervention in a personalized and flexible way is important and valued by parents and SLTs. Parents value understanding the clinical rationale behind the intervention approach and benefit from explicit instructions for home practice, including discussion, written information, observation and feedback. Therapeutic relationships take time to develop and impact parental engagement in home practice.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

The findings of this study highlight existing knowledge which will support SLTs to work optimally with parents to implement home practice for their child with SSD. It highlights the importance of taking time to foster working relationships with parents to support effective home practice. The review identifies gaps in the current skills and knowledge of SLTs, highlighting the need for further research, support and guidance for SLTs in their work with parents, as well as implications for the development of the SLT pre‐registration curriculum.