Perspective of Speech and Language Therapists in Turkey on Primary Progressive Aphasia

Abstract

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the insidious and progressive loss of speech and language skills. However, there is no standardized intervention method applied in patients with PPA. It was conducted a virtual survey of SLTs across Turkey, to collect information about the assessment, intervention and management of patients with PPA. A total of 285 SLTs participated the survey; 76.8% ( n = 219) of the respondents were female, 58.9% ( n = 168) were 1 to 2 years post graduation, 62.8% ( n = 179) of them were master’s degree, and 46% ( n = 131) were working in a rehabilitation center. All 285 participants included in the study stated that they did not create a therapy process for their clients with PPA and they performed the therapy processes applied in the classical aphasia treatment. Two hundred sixty-eight participants stated that they had more than six sessions with their clients, and 280 respondents. It is very important for all participants to plan functional interventions that require joint participation with the patient and their family/caregiver or friends, which will support communication and language and communication-oriented intervention. However, there is a need to develop specific evidence-based care pathways for people with PPA so that more efficient interventions can be made. Raising awareness among SLTs and other clinical service providers that rehabilitation is effective can increase the accessibility of interventions for individuals with PPA and lead to a more robust support system for individuals affected by PPA.

Disaster Management for People with Communication Disorders: Lessons Learned from the 2023 Earthquakes in Türkiye

“…According to the United Türkiye is obliged to make the utmost effort for the rehabilitation of persons with special needs, including in emergency and disaster situations (Çimşir, 2019). In 1999, speech and language therapy services were limited, but 24 years later, in 2023, there are now approximately 1.500 speech and language therapists working in Türkiye (Yaşa, 2023), 768 of whom are members of the Turkish Speech and Language Therapists Association (Turkish Speech and Language Therapists Association, n.d.). This situation makes accessing speech and language therapy services a little easier for individuals with communication disorders.…”