https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39657 2026-04-08T22:11:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40755 Title: The use of technology with children in speech and language therapy Abstract: The current research investigates the perceptions and practices of high-tech use during speech and language therapy among Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and parents. Participants included 51 SLPs working in the Public and/or Private Sector and 50 parents whose children attend speech and language therapy in one of the Primary Health Centres. Two questionnaires were devised by the researcher, one for the SLPs and one for the parents. Quantitative data obtained from the questionnaires compared the perceptions of the two participant groups and also compared independent variables which might have an effect on technology use. Questionnaire findings showed that technology use is very popular among SLPs of all age groups and across all sectors. The tablet was found to be the most used device to serve different functions. Parent questionnaire findings showed that slightly more than half of their children use technology during therapy. Its use was found to be independent of the child’s age, diagnosis and location of the clinic. Qualitative data was obtained through six one-to-one SLP interviews. The interviews aimed to obtain more in-depth information. Five themes were derived: a) increased popularity of high-tech use during sessions; b) the advantages of hightech use; c) the disadvantages of high-tech use; d) the criteria followed when choosing apps for clinical purposes; e) the need for training on how to use devices in clinical settings. This research shed light on the current use of technology and on specific measures that would enhance high-tech use in the clinical setting. Description: B.SC.(HONS)COMMUNICATION THERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40749 Title: The effect of home and school literacy environments on reading comprehension Abstract: Several studies have investigated the benefits of the home and school literacy environments on literacy, as literacy development starts at home and is developed further at school. The majority of international research focuses on preschool children and little is known about older children. There is less research available pertaining to the local scene. This dissertation investigates the effects of home and school literacy environments on reading comprehension in bilingual fourth-graders. It also explores the relationship between reading comprehension and the overall performance in language arts. Maltese and English reading comprehension sub-tests from the Test of Reading, Phonological Awareness and Memory (TORPAM; Agius, 2012) were administered to 129 students attending a state school, a boys’ church school, a girls’ state school or an independent school. Test performance was compared with findings from parent and teacher questionnaires. The aim of the questionnaire survey was to investigate home and school literacy environments and their effect on the students’ reading comprehension abilities. Assessment findings highlight a strong positive correlation between the students’ reading comprehension abilities and their overall exam marks in Maltese and English. Findings from the questionnaire survey highlight a positive effect of home and school environments upon performance in the reading comprehensions. The most significant relationship is observed between the school environment and the first language of the children (Maltese or English). A strong and positive correlation is evident between the reading comprehensions and the overall exam marks of both languages. Corresponding to previous research, this study found a gender-gap. Different habits of boys and girls were explored. Description: B.SC.(HONS)COMMUNICATION THERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40727 Title: The development of a behavioural test battery in auditory processing for Maltese school children Abstract: This research investigates the auditory processing skills of bilingual Maltese children. The purpose of this study is to identify trends on a novel assessment battery of auditory processing targeted at the paediatric Maltese population. A total of 130 children participated. The sample included 101 typically developing children and 29 presenting with a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder (clinical group). The typically developing children’s performance on the assessment battery was compared in terms of ‘age’, ‘gender’, ‘primary language’, ‘geographic region’ and ‘school type’. The performance of this group was further compared with that of a clinical group. Reliability and validity studies were carried out on the developed and modified subtests in the assessment battery. A factor analysis of the tool highlighted two factors under which the subtests fall: those incorporating linguistic stimuli and those using non-linguistic stimuli. A regression analysis revealed predictors of the subtests in terms of the demographic factors as well as other subtests within the tool. The result outcomes are discussed with respect to related studies carried out on other paediatric populations. Overall, there were no significant differences in the performance of the TD group when divided in their categorical variables, but significant differences in the performance of the TD and clinical groups on the APD questionnaire and assessment battery. This study is the first step to research on auditory processing in Malta. It provides a basis to further research, where a deeper analysis into the performance of specific clinical populations can be carried out, and an initial guide to clinical professionals working with this population. Description: PH.D.COMMUNICATION THERAPY 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z