A Survey of Speech Therapists at Health Centers Concerning Speech Therapy for Children Selected for Follow-up Observation after Pediatric Health Examinations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey the approaches to speech therapy being used to aid parents and children when the children were recommended for follow-up observation following pediatric health examinations. The survey covered eight speech therapists at health centers in ten municipalities located in the suburbs of Tokyo and with populations between 20, 000 and 50, 000. All of the therapists were part-time workers and there were notable differences in their follow-up systems and methods. The survey also indicates the importance of making the best use of daily-life support systems and out-patient facilities supporting parents and children.