Speech-language pathologists' treatment goals for preschool language disorders: An ICF analysis

The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive framework to conceptualise clinical services. This study explored how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) conceptualised therapy goals for preschoolers with language difficulties and disorders within the ICF framework.

An online survey was distributed to SLPs practising in a publicly funded Preschool Speech and Language program in Ontario, Canada. SLPs rated their familiarity with the ICF framework, and then reported all therapy goals for one child with language difficulty/disorder on their caseload. For each reported goal, SLPs indicated the ICF component(s) they felt the goal addressed. Researchers then independently categorised SLPs' reported goals into the ICF components.

Ninety-three SLPs completed the survey, and 81% reported they were at least "somewhat" familiar with the ICF framework. On average, SLPs reported three therapy goals per child, and felt the Activities and Participation components were most frequently targeted (73% and 72% of all reported goals, respectively). Researchers categorised SLPs' reported goals differently, and identified 57% of goals addressing the Activities component, and 21% the Participation component.

There is a need to better understand how SLPs and researchers conceptualise the ICF framework, particularly the Participation component.