Teachers and health team’s view of the performance of speech-language therapy’s role in early childhood education

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to reflect on the views of teachers and health professionals who work in a multidisciplinary team at schools, concerning the performance of speech-language therapy in Early Childhood Education, as well as their perceptions about the relationship between health and education. Methods: The data were collected through the application of a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire to twelve Early Childhood Education teachers, who work in a private school in the city of Campinas, and to fifteen health professionals, such as: Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Dentist, Dietitian, Psychologist and Speech-language Therapist, who participated in a Health Program that operates in a school environment, in Early Childhood Education. The study is characterized as a descriptive and cross-sectional research. Data analysis was performed based on Content Analysis. Results: It could be observed that both teachers and health professionals have knowledge of Speech-language Therapy areas. They reported that the speech-language therapy in the school environment is important because it helps dealing with children’s behaviors and also to work together with the teachers. The teachers were able to relate the knowledge between the health areas and the health professionals showing that the differential of a speech-language pathologist in the team is made by their contribution towards the knowledge of the area itself. Respondents considered the relationship between Health and Education as important, mentioning correlations between both. Conclusion: Speech-language pathology at schools is important and may be the path that allows a closer and more effective relationship between Health and Education.