Multidisciplinary speech and language therapy approach in a child with multiple disabilities including blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity: a case study with a one year follow-up

Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2023 Jul;48(2):98-110. doi: 10.1080/14015439.2021.2014563. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to show speech and language, sensory-motor, and emotional progress after one year of therapy according to the needs of and resources for a child with multiple disabilities and blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods: A 45-month-old boy was examined by a multidisciplinary team and assessed using the Sensory Profile 2, The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II, The Communication Matrix, and The Scale for Evaluation of Psychophysiological Abilities of Children Aged 0-7. After a year of daily individually adopted speech and language therapy followed by supplementary therapeutics method, based on a multidisciplinary approach, the child was reassessed using the same battery of tests.Results: The obtained results might indicate the importance of factors such as a multidisciplinary approach, individualization, communication pathways, therapist's characteristics, and trust when working with children with multiple disabilities.Conclusion: Taking into account all the features of multiple disabilities during the treatment course, continuous monitoring, modification, and adaptation of applied therapy method proved successful in this case.

Keywords: blindness; multidisciplinarity; retinopathy of prematurity; speech and language therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blindness / diagnosis
  • Blindness / etiology
  • Blindness / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Language Therapy
  • Male
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / complications
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / diagnosis
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / therapy
  • Speech
  • Voice Quality