Impact of co-occurring psychiatric disorders and traumatic brain injury on speech-language treatment: Speech-language pathologists’ perspectives

<p>Previous studies have associated traumatic brain injury (TBI) with higher rates of psychiatric disorders. This study investigated speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perspectives on the prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders in the TBI population and its impact on speech-language treatment. Interviews were conducted with twelve SLPs working with a TBI population. Results revealed a lack of standard measures to assist SLPs in distinguishing between the symptoms of psychiatric disorders versus the neuropsychiatric symptoms of TBI. Also, results indicated the heavy reliance on a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive and individualized treatment for the TBI clientele, and the negative consequences of untreated psychiatric disorders on both the SLP’s presentation of treatment and the client’s response to treatment. The data presented here are a valuable source of information for SLPs anticipating field work with a TBI population, as they discuss clinical implications associated with the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders in this population. The data also suggest directions for future research on the impact of psychiatric disorders on treatment for the TBI population.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Special Education

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Neal, Janis Whitney

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ana Claudia Harten, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Chair
• Bill Cupples, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• Sheila Bentrum, M.A., CCC-SLP

• co-occurring disorders
• mental health
• psychiatric disorders
• speech therapy
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/545

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1918