Parental involvement in speech intervention: a national survey

A survey of 277 speech language pathologists (SLPs) investigated beliefs and practice regarding parents' involvement in service planning and delivery for children with speech impairment. Although the SLPs frequently involved parents in service delivery for speech intervention, parental involvement in service planning was less frequent. SLPs working in educational settings involved parents to a lesser extent than SLPs working in health settings and private practice. More experienced SLPs involved parents less in decision-making. A gap between the SLPs' beliefs and practice was found, with stated beliefs not always reflecting practice. 40% of respondents were unhappy with the level of parental involvement and perceived workplace, personal and parental barriers to working effectively with parents. Although the SLPs indicated that they believed in and used family-centered practices, beliefs and practice regarding parent decision-making were therapist- rather than family-centered.