A Preliminary Study on Teachers' Awareness and Knowledge of Speech-Language Therapy in Kota Bharu, Kelantan (Kajian Awal terhadap Kesedaran dan Pengetahuan Guru tentang Terapi Pertuturan-Bahasa di Kota Bharu, Kelantan)
http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JSKM-2024-2202-01
- Author:
Affizal Ahmad
1
;
Malarvini Vesualingam
1
;
Mohd Normani Zakaria
2
Author Information
1. Speech Pathology Program, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
2. Audiology Program, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Speech therapist;
Schoolteacher;
Awareness;
Knowledge;
Communication disorder
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2024;22(No.2):1-17
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Speech-language therapists (SLTs) are experienced in recognising the symptoms and signs of
speech-language disorders and can help the afflicted children overcome those disorders with
appropriate intervention. Furthermore, with the increase in the number of children with special
educational needs, teachers are expected to identify students with speech-language disorders,
which is also a shared responsibility of SLTs. However, the teachers’ awareness and
knowledge of speech-language therapy are relatively unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to
identify the primary school teachers' awareness and knowledge of speech-language therapy
services in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A total of 105 primary school teachers participated in this
survey-based study. The findings discovered that the teachers' awareness and knowledge were
limited. Among the participants, only 25.7% indicated a high awareness and knowledge
regarding the SLTs' roles, yet 68.6% of the teachers had never read about speech-language
therapy, and 63.8% had never heard anything about SLPs previously. Consequently, more
emphasis on awareness and knowledge of SLPs should be executed for schoolteachers. This
will assist the schoolteachers in identifying children with special needs in need of SLT services
in the future.
- Full text:202407241647140992314.2024my0466.pdf
