Study reveals gap in child health services

One quarter of Australian preschool children have difficulty speaking and making speech sounds, with fewer than half receiving specialist treatment from a speech pathologist.

The Sound Effect study, conducted Australia-wide by Charles Sturt University, investigated the occurrence of speech impairment in four to five-year-olds and the impact it had on the overall development of over 1,000 rural and metropolitan children.

The study also found that 10 per cent of the children investigated were in need of speech pathology treatment but did not have access, while a possible 57 per cent of children with speech impairments were not being treated as their disorder was undiagnosed.

Chief investigator Professor Sharynne McLeod, believes the way speech impairments are identified and treated in children of this age group must change as a result of the study.

“Speech pathology intervention is effective for young children if it is received prior to starting school, before they learn to read and write. If they don’t receive this help before starting school, they are more likely to struggle with literacy activities and social interactions,” Prof McLeod said.

She added that parents who suspected their children of having a language difficulty would use a range of other community services, like doctors, playgroups and parent groups, rather than consult a speech pathologist.

“More than half the parents were either unaware of their child’s difficulty or were waiting for somebody else, like a GP or preschool, to identify or confirm the difficulty. A further 10 per cent tried to access speech pathology services but couldn’t, due to lack of services in their area, long waiting lists or the cost of the service.”

Prof McLeod, along with her research team, will present the findings of the Sound Effects study at Speech Pathology Australia’s ‘Participation 2010’ national conference in Melbourne this week.

Fellow Charles Sturt University researcher, Jane McCormack, said that speech pathologists have been aware of these gaps in service and the Sound Effect study now provides the evidence.

“This study confirms the significance of this issue and shows the real need for government policies that address the poor availability of services for children with speech, language and other communication impairments.”

For more information on Speech Pathology Australia’s national conference visit www.speechpathologyaustraia.org.au.