engleski

Public awareness of developmental language disorder in Croatia, Italy and Slovenia

Previous research, although scarce, indicated that the general public is still relatively unaware of developmental language disorder (DLD), one of the most common (neuro)developmental disorders. Raising awareness would increase timely involvement in intervention procedures. Our aim was to examine public awareness of DLD in the neighbouring countries of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, as well as to assess the influence of age, gender, and education level on awareness. Another aim was to investigate public knowledge about the professionals who recognise DLD and to compare the awareness of DLD to that of other (neuro)developmental disorders in childhood. In this study, a convenience sample of adults living in the countries of the Adriatic region [Croatia (N=92), Italy (N=105) or Slovenia (N=90)] were asked to fill out a paper-and-pencil questionnaire (Public Survey) developed within the Working Group 3 of the COST Action IS1406. Responses were analysed quantitatively as a function of age, gender, education level and country using the t test and analysis of variance. Public awareness of DLD is still unsatisfactory in all three countries. Around 70% of respondents reported having heard of DLD, however, only around 20% of Croatian, 40% of Italian, and 5% of Slovenian respondents, provided an adequate definition of DLD. Differences in research and clinical traditions may explain observed variations amongst the three countries. Education level was the only variable that was significantly associated with awareness of DLD in Croatia and Italy: there, more educated people showed higher awareness and more correct knowledge, which was not found in the Slovenian sample. Respondents generally perceived speech and language pathologists as professionals responsible for recognising DLD. Finally, people possess the highest awareness of ASD, while the awareness of DLD and other (neuro)developmental disorders is equally low. Public awareness of DLD varies substantially among the three countries, but there is space for improvement in each of them. The findings of this study build on the existing data from the international group of collaborators, and argue for well-planned, systematic awareness-raising activities in the region.

Public awareness ; Developmental language disorder ; Public survey ; Speech and language pathologist

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