Professional skills of speech therapist in special education centres of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are responsible for evaluating and treating speech language impairments through professional knowledge and skills, but they also provide other resources such as evaluating and treating swallowing issues, impaired memory, and hearing issues. The present study is about the factors affecting the professional skills of speech therapists in special education centres of Punjab. A cross-sectional research design was used. A total sample of 75 speech therapists was drawn through purposive sampling technique in special educational centres of Punjab included districts of Lahore, Mandibahudin, Sahiwal, Okara, and Shekhupura. There were 68 (90.7%) participants between the ages of 20 to 30. There were 61 (81.3%) male participants and 14 (18.7%) female participants in the study. Results shows that majority of female participants (39.3%) strongly agreed that speech therapist are not sufficient in special educations centres and its caused work burnout among 49.5% female participants but there is no gender association value of p>0.001. 50.8 % females participants agreed training and latest assessment tools are required for desired outcomes in therapeutic sessions. This research concluded that failure to ensure efficient technical skills of speech and language pathologist in special education centres has resulted in a slew of permanent, deadly effects for SLP.