Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate caregivers’ wants and needs for involvement in early intervention program for children with speech and language disorders in Tenwek Hospital. The effort to consider caregivers wants and needs enhances good practices values. It gives an insight that caregivers’ wants and needs are integral components in determining an early intervention plan for the children with speech and language disorders. The study was guided by Normalization Process Theory by May, (2006).
Method and Materials: The study adopted a case study research design and used accessible population of 62 respondents comprising of caregivers and two Tenwek outpatient clinic therapists in Bomet County. The study employed purposive sampling technique and utilised all the accessible population. Data was collected by administering questionnaires to the caregivers and interview guides to therapists. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of frequency counts, percentages and tables with the aid of SPSS computer program while qualitative data was analysed thematically.
Results: The study found that Caregivers needed financial empowerment to a large extent, capacity building through training, frequent access to therapists in the hospital and at least some level of family support in order to successfully get involved in the intervention of their children with speech and language disorders.
Conclusion: It is evident that each caregiver has inherent strengths and weaknesses and must be encouraged and empowered in those traits for better participation at all levels. The study recommends that clinicians should consider caregivers wants and needs when determining an intervention plan for the children with speech and language disorders. There is also need to involve all stakeholders in the ministry of health to subsidize medication and financial bill associated with children speech and language disorders.
Keywords: caregivers, needs, involvement, early intervention, speech and language disorders, Kenya.
Title: Caregivers’ Needs for Involvement in Early Intervention for Children with Speech and Language Disorders in Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County, Kenya
Author: Sianyo E.Obure, Tom O. Abuom, Mathew Karia
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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