Examining factors affecting parental satisfaction with speech therapy in children with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: This paper explores the relationship between speech therapy intensity and parent satisfaction with speech therapy (ST) in children with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (P-MS), a rare genetic disorder.

Methods: ST intensity (ST Dose [minutes per session]) × (ST Dose Frequency) × (ST Length [years]) and parent satisfaction (modified PSQ-18) with ST were measured by online questionnaire. Non-parametric correlation, partial correlation, and linear regression calculations were performed.

Results: Significant correlations between ST Dose and parent satisfaction were observed in the subscales of Time Spent with ST (r = .36, p < .05) and Accessibility and Convenience (r = .40, p < .05) in children with P-MS controlling for child age. ST Dose was also a significant independent predictor of parent satisfaction with ST in specific subscales.

Conclusion: Significant positive correlation and linear regression results indicate increases in ST Dose (minutes per session) represent a mechanism for increasing parent satisfaction with ST in children with P-MS.

Keywords:

• Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (P-MS)
• speech therapy intensity
• PSQ-18
• parent satisfaction with speech therapy