The recent study titled "Service use, unmet needs, and barriers to services among adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder in Poland" provides valuable insights that can enhance the practice of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working with this population. The research highlights critical gaps in service provision and identifies key barriers that prevent effective therapy delivery. This blog will distill the findings and suggest practical steps for SLPs to improve their services based on the study's outcomes.
Understanding Service Use and Needs
The study revealed that adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Poland are significantly underserved. While 80.1% of adolescents used services in the past year, only 61.1% of adults did. Mental health services were the most used, followed by educational services. However, needs for sensory/motor services and speech-language therapy (SLT) were largely unmet.
Barriers to Service Access
Parents reported several barriers to accessing services:
- Availability: 43% of parents indicated that services were hardly available.
- Cost: 37.8% cited high costs as a barrier.
- Information: 20.8% found it difficult to get information about available services.
- Accessibility: 27.7% faced difficulties in reaching service locations.
Practical Steps for SLPs
Based on these findings, SLPs can take several steps to improve service delivery:
- Increase Outreach: Collaborate with schools, NGOs, and community centers to increase awareness about available SLT services.
- Flexible Service Models: Offer teletherapy options to overcome geographical barriers and provide services to those in remote areas.
- Affordable Solutions: Develop sliding scale fees or seek funding from governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce the cost burden on families.
- Enhanced Training: Ensure that SLPs are well-trained in handling coexisting intellectual disabilities and mental health issues, which are prevalent in this population.
Encouraging Further Research
The study underscores the need for more comprehensive research to better understand and address the service needs of adolescents and young adults with ASD. SLPs are encouraged to engage in or support research efforts that focus on these underserved populations, particularly in non-Anglo-Saxon contexts.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Service use, unmet needs, and barriers to services among adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder in Poland.
