SPEECH THERAPIST AND TEACHERS: COOPERATION BASED ON (LACK OFF) KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROFESSION
SPEECH THERAPIST AND TEACHERS: COOPERATION BASED ON (LACK OFF) KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROFESSION

Author(s): Lejla Junuzović-Žunić, Silva Banović, Tamara Dilber
Subject(s): School education, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Sociology of Education, Pedagogy
Published by: CENTAR MODERNIH ZNANJA
Keywords: speech therapist; speech and language pathology (SLP); teacher; perception; profession;
Summary/Abstract: The aim of this research was to examine the perception of primary school teachers about the speech therapist profession. The research was conducted in four elementary schools, and the sample included 80 teachers. A questionnaire adapted from earlier studies was used, and answers about basic information related to the speech therapy profession were analyzed. The results show that the majority of teachers (82.5%) have some information about speech therapists, mostly gained through books and television. However, there are a number of misconceptions about with whom and where speech therapists work. Although the profession of speech therapist is recognized, the data show that teachers are not sufficiently informed about the full spectrum of activities of speech therapists, indications for referral, as well as about the educational and professional requirements for this profession. In conclusion, there is a necessity to inform teachers more intensively about the role of speech therapists, in order to improve mutual cooperation in the school environment and provide timely support for students with communication difficulties.

• Details
• Contents