Abstract
Background:
Screening for speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in the preschool years promotes early identification and provision of support. However, developmental screening is also associated with practical and ethical concerns (Carlton et al., 2021). For example, given variability in early language development, screening may create unnecessary anxiety in parents. Therefore, it is important that we understand what contributes to acceptability of screening for SLCN from parents' perspectives. Sekhon, Cartwright and Francis (2018) developed the ‘Theoretical Framework of Acceptability’ (TFA) as a way to assess acceptability of healthcare interventions. However, to date there are few examples of this framework being used to assess parents’ views about outcomes for their children.
Aim / Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the applicability of the TFA to the context of screening for speech and language during children’s developmental reviews.
Methods:
Parents attending the nationally mandated 24-30 month developmental review completed a survey (n=433) based on the TFA. Follow-up qualitative interviews with 40 parents explored perspectives of the speech and language component of the developmental review. Parents were recruited purposively to cover a range of factors, including demographics as well as their level of concern about their child’s language development.
Results:
Quantitative results from the survey supported acceptability of the screening process, however qualitative results provided a more mixed picture. Some themes from the TFA were relevant, including coherence of the assessment. However, additional themes were found that were specific to the screening context, for example the importance of individualisation, the relationship with the practitioner and the value that parents placed on the outcome of the assessment for their child.
Conclusions / take home message:
The TFA provided a useful initial framework for exploring acceptability, however this study identified additional elements of acceptability specific to the context of speech and language screening during the developmental review.
Screening for speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in the preschool years promotes early identification and provision of support. However, developmental screening is also associated with practical and ethical concerns (Carlton et al., 2021). For example, given variability in early language development, screening may create unnecessary anxiety in parents. Therefore, it is important that we understand what contributes to acceptability of screening for SLCN from parents' perspectives. Sekhon, Cartwright and Francis (2018) developed the ‘Theoretical Framework of Acceptability’ (TFA) as a way to assess acceptability of healthcare interventions. However, to date there are few examples of this framework being used to assess parents’ views about outcomes for their children.
Aim / Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the applicability of the TFA to the context of screening for speech and language during children’s developmental reviews.
Methods:
Parents attending the nationally mandated 24-30 month developmental review completed a survey (n=433) based on the TFA. Follow-up qualitative interviews with 40 parents explored perspectives of the speech and language component of the developmental review. Parents were recruited purposively to cover a range of factors, including demographics as well as their level of concern about their child’s language development.
Results:
Quantitative results from the survey supported acceptability of the screening process, however qualitative results provided a more mixed picture. Some themes from the TFA were relevant, including coherence of the assessment. However, additional themes were found that were specific to the screening context, for example the importance of individualisation, the relationship with the practitioner and the value that parents placed on the outcome of the assessment for their child.
Conclusions / take home message:
The TFA provided a useful initial framework for exploring acceptability, however this study identified additional elements of acceptability specific to the context of speech and language screening during the developmental review.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 28 May 2022 |
| Event | ESLA Congress of Speech and Language Therapy - Salzburg, Austria Duration: 26 May 2022 → 28 May 2022 |
Conference
| Conference | ESLA Congress of Speech and Language Therapy |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Austria |
| City | Salzburg |
| Period | 26/05/22 → 28/05/22 |