Logopedics, Vol. 14 No. 1, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31299/log.14.1.2
Early Developmental Difficulties from the Parents’ Perspective
Klara Popčević
orcid.org/0000-0002-2592-3210
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Borongajska cesta 83f, 10000 Zagreb
Marija Magdalena Matković
; OŠ don Lovre Katića, Put Majdana 3, 21210 Solin
Jasmina Ivšac Pavliša
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet, Borongajska cesta 83f, 10000 Zagreb
Abstract
Nowadays, more and more attention is being paid to various communication, language and speech disorders, but despite this, a large number of children with these disorders are recognized too late. The importance of early detection of the disorder is directly related to timely enrollment in the early intervention and consequently to better developmental outcomes. Parents play one of the key roles in
this. The aim of this study is to gain an insight into the perspective of parents of preschool children on early signs of communication, language, and speech disorders.
The total of 96 parents of preschool children participated in this study, divided into a group of parents of children with communication, language and speech disorders and a group of parents of children with
typical development. The evaluation of the questionnaire they completed revealed that 84% of parents noticed early signs of deviations in communication, language, and speech for which they would seek specialist help. However, a large percentage of parents contradictorily stated that they were not sure when they should consult a speech therapist. No statistically significant difference was found between parents of children with typical development and parents of children with developmental difficulties regarding the possible steps to be taken when signs of deviation were observed. It is encouraging to know that only a small percentage of parents believe in the common misconceptions about early development. Parents’ gender and education level were found to have no significant influence on their perspective. A significant correlation was found between parents’ age and their perspective, showing that older parents have a clearer perspective on the early signs of deviation and the action to be taken. The results provide clear guidelines for the work of speech and language therapists in the early intervention system.
Keywords
signs of developmental difficulties; parental perspective; speech and language therapists; awareness of developmental difficulties; informing the public
Hrčak ID:
321018
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2024.
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