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Enhancing Speech-Language Pathology Services for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Insights from Polish Research

Enhancing Speech-Language Pathology Services for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Insights from Polish Research

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:

Practical Steps for SLPs

Based on these findings, SLPs can take several steps to improve service delivery:

  1. Increase Outreach: Collaborate with schools, NGOs, and community centers to increase awareness about available SLT services.
  2. Flexible Service Models: Offer teletherapy options to overcome geographical barriers and provide services to those in remote areas.
  3. Affordable Solutions: Develop sliding scale fees or seek funding from governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce the cost burden on families.
  4. 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.


Citation: Platos, M., & Pisula, E. (2019). Service use, unmet needs, and barriers to services among adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder in Poland. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 587. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4432-3
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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