Speech-language pathologists’ treatment goals for preschool language disorders: An ICF analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive framework to conceptualise clinical services. This study explored how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) conceptualised therapy goals for preschoolers with language difficulties and disorders within the ICF framework.

Method

An online survey was distributed to SLPs practising in a publicly funded Preschool Speech and Language program in Ontario, Canada. SLPs rated their familiarity with the ICF framework, and then reported all therapy goals for one child with language difficulty/disorder on their caseload. For each reported goal, SLPs indicated the ICF component(s) they felt the goal addressed. Researchers then independently categorised SLPs’ reported goals into the ICF components.

Result

Ninety-three SLPs completed the survey, and 81% reported they were at least “somewhat” familiar with the ICF framework. On average, SLPs reported three therapy goals per child, and felt the Activities and Participation components were most frequently targeted (73% and 72% of all reported goals, respectively). Researchers categorised SLPs’ reported goals differently, and identified 57% of goals addressing the Activities component, and 21% the Participation component.

Conclusion

There is a need to better understand how SLPs and researchers conceptualise the ICF framework, particularly the Participation component.

Keywords:

• communication
• language
• intervention
• children
• practice-based
• therapy targets

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the speech-language pathologists in Ontario’s Preschool Speech and Language program who shared their clinical expertise, and the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for supporting this research.

Disclosure statement

Barbara Jane Cunningham has an existing research partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, which funded this study.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, EK, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Fellowship awarded to E.K and the research funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.