Training on Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Experiences of Speech-Language Pathologists

Abstract

Purpose: The diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) remains a clinical challenge for many speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Given this, it is imperative to understand how SLPs learn about CAS during graduate school and throughout their careers.

Method: In the current study, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association-certified SLPs who practice in the United States and work with young children completed a 32-item online survey. Survey items aimed to understand SLPs' experiences learning about CAS during graduate school and through continuing education (CE). Respondents were evaluated on their knowledge of diagnosing and treating CAS (against an expert consensus). Finally, the survey sought to investigate how respondents' learning experiences related to their knowledge of diagnosing and treating CAS.

Results: In total, 346 clinicians completed the survey. Reliance on CE (p < .001) and scientific literature in SLP (p < .01) were found to be the only positive significant predictors of CAS knowledge. No graduate school experiences positively predicted CAS knowledge. The majority of clinicians indicated being unprepared to diagnose and treat CAS based on their graduate-level education but reported high levels of satisfaction for CE resources for CAS.

Conclusions: Results of this study highlight challenges in graduate program models for training on CAS. Implications for graduate program models are discussed.

Figure 1.

N = 346. The degree to which respondents indicated their perspective on childhood apraxia of speech was influenced by each source in percent (%). SLP = speech-language pathology.

Figure 2.

N = 346. The degree to which respondents' graduate school addressed CAS in the following experiences in percent (%). Note that the combined proportion of the bar annotated in pink and blue indicates minimally addressed or less, whereas the proportion of the bar in green suggests moderately or thoroughly addressed. CAS = childhood apraxia of speech; SSD = speech sound disorder.

Figure 3.

N = 346. The degree to which respondents indicated they use the following sources for continuing education on childhood apraxia of speech in percent (%). ASHA = American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; CEU = continuing education unit.

Figure 4.

N = 346. Clinicians' satisfaction with resources for CAS in percent (%). CAS = childhood apraxia of speech; CEU = continuing education unit.