Parent experiences of variations in service delivery of Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST) treatment for childhood apraxia of speech

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: To understand parents’ perceptions of Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST) treatment and their experience of either telehealth or combined parent-clinician delivery of speech–language pathology. Method: Thematic analyses of semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 parents (5 telehealth, 5 parent-clinician) after their child completed 12 sessions of ReST treatment. Results: Three themes were unique to telehealth: “telehealth was a million times easier,” “technical problems weren’t deal breakers,” and “telehealth therapy has different boundaries.” Three themes were unique to parent-clinician delivery: “therapy is something to get over and done with,” “I wasn’t very good at doing therapy,” and “my child doesn’t like me as his therapist.” Both groups had themes related to the significance of childhood apraxia of speech, the importance of specialist treatment, and ReST being a “different way forward.” Conclusions: Speech–language pathologists should carefully consider the suitability of caregiver-provided ReST treatment, and increase telehealth delivery of ReST treatment.