Phenomenon of Symptomatic Speech Disorders of People with Sensory Disability from the Point of View of Speech Therapists

Abstract

The issue of symptomatic speech disorders of people with sensory disabilities currently is not in the centre of attention of researchers in theoretical field and, based on our research, not even of the professionals in the speech therapy practice. Though it can more or less substantially influence individual's development and his communication. Even though the speech disorder does not represent dominant problem in the scope of primary disability, it can significantly influence individual's life quality, mainly its psychosocial dimension. We were interested in what is the attitude of speech therapists in practice to this issue, what are their needs and experience. From the collected qualitative and quantitative data there were identified several aspects which determine the care of individuals with sensory disability from the point of view of speech therapists. There appeared mainly questions concerning available resources of professional literature, use of aids, possibilities of further development, question of awareness, experience, approach and general knowledge of speech therapists concerning observed issue.