A Survey of Malaysian Speech-Language Pathologists' Perception of Articulation and Phonological Assessments

Abstract

The critical shortage of culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools has been an ongoing issue highlighted by Malaysian speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The present study was designed to provide insight into Malaysian SLPs' perspectives on the current use of articulation and phonology assessments in the country. It reports the results of a survey of 38 Malaysian SLPs in term of the types of articulation and phonological assessments currently used; SLPs' perceptions about the adequacy and accuracy of current articulation and phonological assessment in meeting clinical needs; the experiences of SLPs in using current articulation and phonological assessments; as well as the need for further research in the areas of articulation and phonology. The findings indicate that informal articulation or phonological assessments were widely used. Only a minority of the respondents used standardized articulation or phonological assessments. The majority of the respondents felt that the lack of locally developed standardized tests and the utilization of informal assessments of articulation and phonology in their clinics did not provide accurate diagnoses or intervention plans. They felt that there was a need for collecting phonological socialdevelopmental data and creating articulation and phonology assessments for Malaysian children.