The efficacy of speech and language therapy services for people with learning disabilities

Research into the efficacy of different intervention approaches in speech and language therapy has a relatively short history. Unfortunately, a large proportion of this research has concentrated on new and controversial techniques, such as Facilitated Communication (FC), rather than on the more common mix of intervention techniques offered by speech and language therapists. This paper addresses several key issues in relation to the evidence of efficacy in the field of learning disabilities as well as discussing strategies for the future. It provides a review of recent studies and offers a critique of their relevance to speech and language therapy services. It highlights the lack of clinician‐led research in the field and argues that questions for researchers and clinicians alike must focus upon the social relevance of intervention rather than on progress measured in the clinical context. The search for appropriate methodologies with which to answer such questions is gradually becoming more focused, and has much to learn from educational ressearch. The paper concludes by emphasising the need for more clinician‐led research and greater diversity in the methodologies used to evaluate intervention.