Eleven Speech and Language Therapists currently provide services across Guyana for persons requiring such care, and this has prompted the Health Ministry to encourage persons to join the profession.
Speech and Language Therapist Sonia Fredericks appeared on the Health Matters programme this week, as the country joins the observance of Better Hearing and Speech Month. According to her, 10 of the 11 Speech and Language Therapists are stationed in Georgetown, posing a challenge in access for other areas. This year, the focus has been on raising awareness on the need for more such health professionals.
“We’re trying to encourage persons to join the profession, and to know where they can go to join the profession. That is our main target for this year… Presently, in Guyana, we only have 11 Speech and Language Therapists serving the entire country,” Fredericks underlined.
Speech-Language Therapist Sonia Fredericks
Currently, the Health Ministry relies on Rehabilitation Assistants to fill the gaps. But she zeroed in on the need to build a stronger foundation in such services.
“We need more human resources. This is why we have focused on encouraging others and teaching them about the profession, so that many can join and we can build a stronger foundation.”
Speech and Language Therapists are experts in communication, working with people of all ages in diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. On the other hand, audiologists specialize in assessing and preventing hearing and balance disorders, as well as providing audiologic treatment. The University of Guyana currently offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Therapy and Audiology under the School of Medicine.
Diverse avenues
Fredericks underscored that the profession is not limited to one facility or age group, but offers diverse avenues to practise. If Guyana builds adequate capacity, schools can also benefit from these services.
She underscored, “Basically, because we are limited in our human resource, we haven’t been able to play that role in the school setting. We would like to expand our field, so that we can introduce that system too, where you can go into a school and there is a Speech-Language Therapist to assist the children.”
According to Kerrianne Richards, who is also a Speech and Language Therapist, Guyana is still seeking to understand what are the trends in relation to autism cases. Currently, the Ministry uses clinical signs and symptoms, or characteristics associated with the condition, to identify where children need assistance.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences the environment. It is a lifelong disability that starts when a person is born. People with ASD often have problems with social, emotional and communication skills. While there is no cure, research shows that early intervention and treatment can improve a child’s development.
Richards stated, “We’re trying to put ADHD and autism in the same category, but we cannot, because one is an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the other is a nodal developmental disorder…In our clinic, we look at their speech, language and behavioural problem, and not the condition. We work with the child with whatever problem they have.” (G12)
