Original Article: JRCRS. 2021; 9(2): 66-70.
6- Opinion of Speech Language Pathologist/Therapist about Common Communication and Swallowing Difficulties in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Rabbiya Imtiaz1, Hafsa Noreen2, Atia ur Rehman3, Muhammad Sikander Ghayas Khan4, Nayab Iftikhar5, Saba Yaqoob6
1 Speech Language Pathologist, Services Hospital, Lahore
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Health Professional Technology, The University of Lahore, Lahore
3Assistant Professor, Department of Health Professional Technology, The University of Lahore, Lahore
4 Associate Professor, Department of Health Professional Technology, The University of Lahore, Lahore
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Speech Language Pathology, The University of the Punjab, Lahore
6 Senior Lecturer, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Nur International University
Abstract:
Background: Children with cerebral Palsy experiences variety of speech, language and swallowing difficulties. The nature and severity of these difficulties depends upon the type of motor impairment diagnosed in each child.
Objective: To find out the opinion of speech pathologists/therapists regarding the common communication difficulties in children with cerebral palsy.
Methodology: The study included 212 speech language therapists. Respondents were BS, MS and diploma holders with the experience of 1 year or more dealing with children with cerebral palsy. Data was collected using a questionnaire developed by Literature Review and Expert Opinion Using Content Validity Index. It constituted 21 questions on different aspects of speech, language, and swallowing difficulties to gain therapists’ opinion on the frequency of specific difficulties observed in their interactions with children having cerebral palsy. For results, Frequency and Percentages were calculated of the responses.
Results: Results indicated that Children with CP has problem in attention deficit, Problem understanding words, writing difficulties, have Orofacial weakness and also have articulation problems.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the Children with CP have communication and swallowing difficulties associated with impairments in oral motor function, expression and comprehension, and the functioning of oral and pharyngeal swallowing stages in children with cerebral palsy.
Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Oral Motor Functioning, Pathologist, Expression, Comprehension, Deglutition