An holistic view of a child with unintelligible speech: Insights from the ICF and ICF-CY

Abstract

This paper provides an holistic and systematic view of a 7 year old boy, Jarrod, as a unique individual with unintelligible speech. Jarrod was considered using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY) beta draft. Consideration was made of Body Function, Body Structure, Activity and Participation, Environmental Factors and Personal Factors that impacted on his life and were affected by his speech impairment. Intervention was recommended to be directed in two ways. The first towards amelioration of Jarrod's speech impairment using an evidence-based approach and monitored by a data-based decision making model. The second approach was directed towards others in Jarrod's immediate environment such as his peers and teachers as well as towards policy makers and others in society who have an effect on the provision of a facilitative environment and appropriate services for children with speech impairment. This paper is a preliminary attempt to determine salient dimensions and codes of the ICF-CY (beta draft) for use by speech-language pathologists working with children with unintelligible speech.

Keywords:

• ICF-CY
• speech
• articulation
• phonology
• activity
• participation

Notes

1 Capitalization is used to indicate differential usage of the ICF terms from general usage.