A scoping review of qualitative studies on parents’ perspectives on speech, language, and communication interventions

This scoping review synthesized existing qualitative studies to provide conceptual clarity to “parents’ perspectives” in speech, language, and communication interventions for children. Peer-reviewed articles published between January 2009 and June 2019 were reviewed in accordance with the steps recommended by Arksey and O’Malley. In total, 1883 unique records were screened, and 40 studies met inclusion criteria. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the research questions and major themes reported in studies. The included studies were conducted across geographical regions and included parents of children of different ages and clinical diagnoses. Eight aspects of parents’ perspectives were identified: <i>access</i>, <i>decision making</i>, <i>implementation</i>, <i>relationship</i>, <i>roles</i>, <i>impact</i>, <i>expectations,</i> and <i>general experience</i>. In addition, a subset of studies explored parents’ opinions regarding <i>technologies</i> used in therapy. Findings from this review suggest that parents’ perspectives have been explored across a range of geographical locations on interventions for various clinical populations. The identified categories provide some conceptual clarity for clinicians and for future research on this topic. Future studies should (i) better adhere to qualitative study reporting standards; (ii) explore parents’ perspectives regarding the context of speech language therapy; and (iii) include all parents’ perspectives in speech and language interventions.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONParents’ perspectives in communication interventions are complex and multifaceted.Clinicians and researchers can consider parents’ perspectives using the eight, broad thematic categories identified in this scoping review. Parents’ perspectives in communication interventions are complex and multifaceted. Clinicians and researchers can consider parents’ perspectives using the eight, broad thematic categories identified in this scoping review.