Primary Prevention of Communication Disorders: Survey of Literature Distributed to Parents of Newborns in Indiana (USA) and Ireland¹

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Flynn, Pauline T.

Affiliations: Audiology and Speech Sciences Department, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana (USA)

Note: [1] A mini grant was received from the Office of Sponsored Research, IPFW, to cover the printing and mailing costs of the surveys.

Abstract: One professional responsibility of speech and language therapists is the prevention of communication disorders. Parents of newborns are an appropriate target audience for prevention education. The written materials dispensed by hospitals to new parents were surveyed in hospitals in Indiana (U.S.A.) and Ireland, with reference to those relevant to early communication development. The literature surveyed varied from short, focused pamphlets to more general multi-topic publications. Materials focusing specifically on speech and language development and hearing were sparse. Thirty-three percent of the Indiana literature and twenty-six percent of the Irish literature was relevant to the prevention of problems of speech, language and hearing. Professionals are encouraged to be aware of the range of written materials widely available to parents of newborn children. Speech and language therapists have an important contribution to make to the composition and evaluation of written material pertaining to early communication development.

Keywords: communication disorders, prevention, education, parents, newborns, hospitals, literature, speech and language therapist

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-1996-6107

Journal: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 77-87, 1996