Paediatric concussion: Knowledge and practices of school speech-language pathologists

Abstract

Primary objective: To characterize paediatric concussion knowledge and the management practices of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the US to establish a baseline upon which changes in SLP training, knowledge and best practices can be measured.Research design: A survey was developed to assess current knowledge and management of paediatric concussion allowing for comparison to previous and future surveys on SLP knowledge and practice in other areas of brain injury.Methods and procedures: One thousand surveys were distributed to school-based SLPs from 10 states. Two hundred and eighty SLPs from Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, California and Arizona responded to the survey.Main outcomes and results: Compared to previous survey results, SLPs from the current sample indicate an increase in general brain injury training, but confidence in providing clinical services to brain-injured students remains low. SLPs have a mix of accurate and inaccurate concussion knowledge and uncertainty about their role in concussion management.Conclusions: Findings suggest that increasing communication with other school personnel about concussion, increased training in paediatric TBI and concussion improved access to appropriate assessments tools and implementation of long-term concussion management will improve service delivery to school-aged children with concussion.