EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY ON ENHANCING COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE.

ABSTRACT

This study is designed to ascertain the impacts of Speech and Language Therapy on Enhancing the Communication Skills of Children with Special Needs. In Ovia North East Local Government Edo State. The study formulated Four(3) research questions to serve as a guide.

The study adopted a descriptive survey and four(4) special schools in Ovia North were selected with a total population of 613 students. Random sampling techniques was used to select 100 participants for the study. The Cronbach Alpha method of reliability was adopted in analyzing the responses received from the students and a reliability coefficient value of 0.87 was obtained.  The research also used a questionnaire method of collecting data and the questionnaire was titled; Examining the Impact of Speech and Language Therapy on Enhancing Communication Skills for Special Education Students Questionnaire (EISLTECSSESQ) which was distributed to the respondents and retrieved immediately after completion.

At the end of the study, the findings showed a positive understanding among the respondents on the field of speech and language therapy as well as the importance and impact of a speech pathologist in the enhancement of communication skills. The findings from the study also indicated the recommendation of the researcher so as to better improve the delivery of services in speech and language therapy.