A survey of Swedish speech-language pathologists’ practices regarding assessment of speech sound disorders

Abstract

Purpose

To explore Swedish clinical practice regarding assessment of suspected Speech Sound Disorders (SSD) in children.

Methods

A web-based questionnaire, regarding assessment of SSD in children 4;6–6;11 (years; months), was distributed to Swedish speech-language pathologists (SLPs) through social media and online forums. The questions concerned the frequency and manner of assessment for seven assessment components, chosen based on a review of international recommendations for SSD assessment.

Results

A total of 131 SLPs responded to the questionnaire. The results show that Swedish SSD assessment practices vary with regards to the frequency and manner of assessment for many components. Speech output is frequently assessed while speech perception, phonological awareness and oral-motor function are assessed less frequently. A variety of manners of assessment, for example, standardised tests, non-standardised material, and informal assessment procedures, such as observation, are utilized by respondents.

Conclusions

Swedish SSD assessment practices are variable. The present paper reveals areas for development within SLP practice and education programmes, and provides a new perspective on present praxis with regards to the assessment of suspected SSD in Sweden.

Keywords:

• Speech sound disorders
• assessment
• speech-language pathology
• evidence-based practice

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the clinicians who contributed with their time and expertise through responding to the questionnaire, as well as the SLPs who provided feedback on the pilot version of the questionnaire.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Notes

1 Note that the literal translation of the term used in the questionnaire would be “phonological output” (Swe: “fonologisk output”).

2 Note that Halland county’s municipalities are divided between Sweden’s West and South health care regions – in these analyses, the whole county (four respondents) is included in the West health care region.