The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted traditional healthcare delivery, necessitating innovative solutions like telepractice. A recent systematic review, titled "Speech pathology telepractice intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic for Spanish-speaking children with cleft palate: A systematic review," offers invaluable insights into telepractice's efficacy for this demographic. Here, we explore how practitioners can leverage these findings to improve their skills and outcomes.
Key Findings from the Systematic Review
The review analyzed 23 studies, focusing on telepractice interventions for Spanish-speaking children with cleft palate (CP). Here are the primary outcomes:
- Early intervention before age 3 significantly improves vocabulary and speech sounds.
- Assessment should include speech characteristics, voice, stomatognathic system, velopharyngeal function, and quality of life.
- Use of audiovisual materials enhances treatment efficacy.
- Active involvement of parents through education and training is crucial.
Implementing Telepractice: Practical Guidelines
To optimize telepractice for children with CP, consider the following guidelines:
1. Screening and Evaluation
Conduct a comprehensive orofacial anatomy-functional screening. Utilize synchronous online evaluations, complemented by photos and videos from parents, to gather essential data.
2. Articulatory Evaluation
Characterize the child's sound inventory, identifying correctly produced sounds and compensatory articulation disorders (CAD). Request videos or audio recordings from parents for accurate assessment.
3. Parental Involvement
Educate and train parents to actively participate in the intervention. Provide them with audiovisual materials to reinforce therapy at home.
4. Use of Audiovisual Materials
Implement educational and interactive videos for both children and parents. These materials should be used as supplementary tools to enhance the effectiveness of telepractice.
5. Regular Monitoring
Frequent video or audio updates from parents will help track progress and adjust therapeutic objectives as needed.
Encouraging Further Research
While the review provides a solid foundation, further research is essential to refine telepractice methodologies. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing body of knowledge by conducting their own studies and sharing outcomes.
Conclusion
The systematic review offers practical guidelines for implementing telepractice interventions for Spanish-speaking children with cleft palate. By integrating these data-driven strategies, practitioners can enhance treatment outcomes and provide comprehensive support to families.To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Speech pathology telepractice intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic for Spanish-speaking children with cleft palate: A systematic review.
