The efficacy of intensive group speech therapy for inner city areas

Abstract

The Intensive Group Speech Therapy project arose from the perceived needs of therapists to develop alternative methods of providing speech therapy for a large number of communication-impaired children living in inner city areas of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The main aims of the project have been achieved. With careful planning, group therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment method and a valuable diagnostic tool. Many parents have become actively involved in therapy, and the pattern and type of referrals have changed. Unqualified speech therapy aides have been shown to be invaluable. Following careful selection, special-needs children have responded well in the normal communicating environment that a group provides.