Auditory Processing Disorders in children : the perspectives and practices of South African audiologists/STA's.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Audiologists/ Speech Therapists and Audiologists (STA’s) practicing in the field of Auditory
Processing Disorders (APD) globally, encounter several challenges that include but are not
limited to conflicting definitions, variable diagnostic criteria, several classification profiles
and lack of standardised guidelines for screening, assessment and intervention. In South
Africa, audiologists/ STA’s experience further challenges related to working within a diverse
multicultural and multilingual context when attempting to manage children with APD. This
study investigated the perspectives and practices of South African audiologists/ STA’s in
screening, assessing and providing intervention for children with APD. A descriptive survey
design, with quantitative methods of analysis, was used to obtain information from
audiologists/ STA’s registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA,
2014), of which 156 responded. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential
statistics. Overall 68% (n = 106) of the participants did not feel adequately prepared to
practice in the field of APD. Seventy five percent (p = 0.00) of audiologists and 35% of
STA’s reported their level of experience as being ‘limited’, which was statically significant.
Forty percent (n = 62) of the sample felt that they were either ‘poorly’ or ‘very poorly’
informed to screen for APD, 44% (n = 68) to assess for APD, and 53% (n = 82) to provide
intervention. Sixty percent (n = 93) screened for APD, whilst only 42% (n = 66) assessed for
APD. Some of the reasons cited include; lack of exposure to APD during their undergraduate
programme, inappropriate screening and assessment material due to cultural and linguistic
barriers and limited resources to manage children with APD. Eighty five percent (n = 133)
received referrals from other practitioners for the management of APD, yet only 43% (n = 67)
of the participants offered intervention. Similar findings were reported in studies conducted
locally and internationally. It can therefore be concluded that service provision in the area of
APD in South Africa, is limited which is exacerbated by several contextual constraints. Based
on the study findings of the current study, relevant research and clinical implications were
recommended.
Description
Master of Communication Pathology in Audiology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2015.
Keywords
Word deafness in children--South Africa., Auditory perception in children--South Africa., Hearing disorders in children--South Africa., Theses--Audiology., Auditory Processing Disorders (APD).