What is a good outcome in speech and language therapy and how can this be achieved? Exploring the views of school-aged children and parents

Speech and language therapists are guided by standards and frameworks that emphasise client contributions to decision-making and holistic outcomes. Currently, there is little known about the preferences of school-aged children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) for speech and language therapy services. This study explored the perspectives of five primary school-aged children with SLCN and their parents about their preferred experiences of speech and language therapy and what they identified as successful outcomes. Information was gathered via questionnaires, which could be completed in written or spoken format. Deductive content analysis was used to map responses into the components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Most outcomes reported by children and parents aligned with the Activity (35%) and Participation (42%) domains of the ICF. Preferred experiences encompassed various levels of support for the child, both in therapy and outside of therapy. The present study adds new perspectives to the research around the preferred experiences of school-aged children with SLCN regarding speech and language therapy services and their views of a successful outcome. The results highlight the importance of listening to children and parents in planning and delivering high-quality, person-centred speech and language therapy services.