ICF and perception of functioning according to children/adolescents in follow-up with speech/language disorders

Abstract

Purpose To characterize changes in the functioning aspects, in the perception of children and adolescents with speech and language disorders under speech-language follow-up, using the ICF. Methods Descriptive, analytical and longitudinal research, with a qualitative and quantitative approach, whose sample consisted of 60 children and adolescents: 30 with speech and language disorders and 30 with typical speech and language development. Data collection was carried out in two moments: beginning of the research and six months later. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the participants, and a medical records analysis was performed. From these data, functioning was classified using he ICF categories. The Wilcoxon test and thematic content analysis were used to compare the interviews. Results The use of ICF allowed characterizing changes resulting from speech-language follow-up. Participants with speech and language disorders presented a decrease in the magnitude of the qualifiers in the categories: articulation and fluency, social relationships, daily activities, engagement in play, people's attitude barriers, and how to handle stress. Conclusion The findings show changes in components of Body Functions, Activities and Participation, and the influence of Environmental Factors after speech-language follow-up, in the perception of the studied group, which brings relevant subsidies for a greater understanding of functioning and therapeutic intervention. The use of the ICF enabled the longitudinal analysis in a biopsychosocial approach, contemplating, in addition to biological aspects, the social impact of speech and language disorders in the lives of these children and adolescents.

Effects of Children’s Communication Disorders on the Quality of Life of Their Parents in Iran

“…Their focus was on children with specific communication disorders, such as speech impairment, hearing loss, and stuttering. They had a quantitative approach using common questionnaires, including the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), the WHO QoL-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) [1,5,12,15,23,24]. Allik et al [12] investigated parents' QoL of children with autism and Asperger using the SF-12 questionnaire.…”

“…Therefore, parents of preschool-age children with speech impairment and hearing loss experienced a lower QoL than parents of healthy children of the same age. Zerbeto et al [24] used the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to investigate the QoL in caregivers of children and adolescents with speech and language disorders and reported that this population had low QoL. These quantitative studies can provide fast, factual, and reliable data that can be generalized to some larger populations.…”