Knowledge and opinions of speech therapy in teachers, doctors and nurses

Three types of professionals who were potential referers to the speech therapy service were questioned about their knowledge and opinions of speech therapy. The responses of qualified teachers, doctors and health visitors were compared with those of students at or near to the beginning of vocational training for these professions. The responses of practising and intending speech therapists were used as a baseline. Between 70% and 100% questionnaires were returned for each group, and a random sample of 33 from each (total 264) was analysed. The answers showed that teachers were the least well informed about many aspects of speech therapy, including the nature and location of the work and the range of disorders for which such therapy is available. In view of recent recommendations that teachers should cooperate with other professionals in working with those children with special needs who are now being educated in mainstream schools, there would seem to be a strong need for teacher training to include more information about speech therapy.