The importance of speech and language therapy

Paula Quirante is the head of the department of assistance to families and people with deafness of the Catalan Association for the Promotion of People with Deafness (ACAPPS), which has brought together Catalan associations in this field since 2004. The mission of this organization is to represent and defend the overall rights and interests of people with deafness and their families, at all levels, in the context of society, administrations and other institutions. Thus, they work with children and accompany them throughout their lives with different projects.

Quirante explained that 97% of people with deafness communicate orally and only 3% do so with sign language, so the function of the speech therapist is essential in these cases, also taking into account the large number of families who do not have information, tools or support. She also highlighted the importance of cognitive stimulation, even if a child does not have full hearing, in order to facilitate the implantation of the prosthesis in the future.

The round table continued with Glòria Bou, member of the board of directors of the Associació Superar l’Ictus Barcelona (ASIB), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people who have experienced a stroke, taking into account the enormous change that occurs in their lives and environment (which is why the association also helps and advises family members). The objectives of the association are to provide stroke patients with information and support in terms of care, therapeutic and legal resources, as well as to promote therapeutic, cultural and recreational activities and emotional support for patients and their family.

Bou explained her personal experience as a stroke patient and talked about the importance of the care of doctors and the referral to associations, once the treatment is over, to avoid being left vulnerable. Rehabilitation is very specific and important, and without the right care, the process can be more complicated. She also stressed that many stroke patients experience sequelae and speech problems—and there are still stigmas surrounding many diseases—the lack of resources in hospitals and the importance of dealing with speech therapists for better care.

The last speaker was Sandra Laguna, head of the family care department at Aprenem Autisme. This is a movement formed by two entities, driven by people with autism and their families, with the aim of defending the rights of people with autism, to ensure them a full life and to promote social inclusion.

Laguna said that, despite social advances, there are still stereotypes that hold back the work done. Health centers refer patients to the associations, but many arrive on their own: it is the families who really move heaven and earth for their children, helping one another, and professionals and associations support them with training, provide them with space and tools and, above all, offer them emotional support. Autism is evolving, there are many adults who have autism without knowing it, and in this regard, she emphasized the importance of the work of the autism speech therapist, because there is a vast field to explore and, in particular, a lack of support towards speech and language therapy in the public health service.

The students and professionals came to the conclusion that we still live in a society with limitations; therefore, the main missions of these valuable associations are the inclusion of patients in society at work and at leisure, to ensure their rights and ensuring they are citizens with equal conditions. The event ended with them calling on society to raise awareness of the importance of training quality speech therapists, an essential and crucial profession.