Characterization of speech therapy in a group with children

Abstract

Introduction: Group speech-language pathology treatment began in the 1980s and generated greater demand after the introduction of Speech–Language Pathology in public health. As a privileged approach for allowing the follow-up of a greater number of people in less time, group care should be better known and discussed. Objective: To characterize group speech-language pathology treatment with children. Method: Integrative literature review, aiming to answer three questions: What is the rationale for recommending group care? What criteria define the formation of groups? And which theoretical model supports group care? The search was carried out on the CAPES Portal (Portal of Journals of the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel), VHL (Virtual Health Library) and BDTD (Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations). Results: 437 studies were found on the subject and, after eliminating those that did not meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 publications were selected. The authors use the criterion of similarity of medical diagnosis, age, complaint and speech-language pathology assessment for the recommendation of group care. No objective reference was found on which condition of the child would be part of the group care and, therefore, the child’s participation could depend on the evaluation of the professional and their knowledge of the topic. Most of the studies analyzed adopt the social-interactionist approach to support and defend the effectiveness of group care. Conclusion: In the period studied, there was a decrease in the number of studies on group care and more studies are necessary for the criteria for the recommendation and formation of the groups to be formalized, discussed and shared. In addition, its mandatory articulation to the theoretical model used must be clarified.