"Tremendous burdens often unveil enormous gifts": The experiences of South African caregivers implementing speech and language teletherapy for children with cerebral palsy during COVID-19.
Gabriela Evangelou, Skye Nandi Adams
PMID 38251071WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy described speech teletherapy as a way to finally understand their non-verbal child's needs and build a stronger bond.
However, they also reported feeling overwhelmed by having to act as therapists while managing work and household duties, often lacking the resources or employer support to cope.
Key findings
01Sixteen caregivers reported that teletherapy increased bonding and helped them understand their child's communication attempts, particularly for non-verbal children.
02Fourteen caregivers struggled with the role of acting as therapists, leading to feelings of inadequacy and negative impacts on employment.
03While many used home resources, three caregivers noted that a lack of specific equipment or toys hindered therapy, prompting a desire to return to in-person sessions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only included caregivers from metropolitan areas, so the findings may not apply to rural communities with different access challenges. All interviews were conducted in English, which may have limited expression for participants in a multilingual country. The study did not include the perspectives of other therapists (like PTs or OTs) or the children themselves. The sample size was small (18 participants), and recruitment was difficult due to pandemic restrictions.
Declared interests
The authors declare that the study was approved by the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee. No specific funding sources or commercial conflicts of interest are detailed in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these positive reports on bonding as evidence that teletherapy is clinically superior to in-person therapy for communication outcomes. The study describes caregivers' subjective experiences of connection, not objective improvements in their children's speech or language abilities.