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Towards an Agreed Labelling System and Protocol for the Diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorder Subtypes in the United Kingdom

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Title: Towards an Agreed Labelling System and Protocol for the Diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorder Subtypes in the United Kingdom
Language: English
Authors: Joanne Cleland (ORCID 0000-0002-0660-1646), Sam Burr (ORCID 0000-0002-4177-2459), Sam Harding (ORCID 0000-0002-5870-2094), Helen Stringer (ORCID 0000-0002-7470-2166), Yvonne Wren (ORCID 0000-0002-1575-453X)
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2025 60(3).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Labeling (of Persons), Clinical Diagnosis, Speech Impairments, Speech Language Pathology, Classification, Definitions
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70052
ISSN: 1368-2822
1460-6984
Abstract: Background: There is no single classification system or diagnostic protocol for speech sound disorder (SSD). This makes it difficult to collect large-scale outcome data and determine which interventions work best for which subtypes of SSD. The United Kingdom is unique in that its publicly funded healthcare system allows the collection of such outcome data across large numbers of children; however, a necessary first step towards this is to agree on a consistent diagnostic protocol and classification system for SSD that is feasible for use in the UK healthcare system. Aims: This study aimed to achieve an initial clinician-led UK consensus on a diagnostic protocol and classification system for SSD of unknown origin. Methods and Procedures: A mixed methods participatory design was used. Five UK health services provided SSD paperwork such as local guidelines and protocols for content analysis. Two participatory workshops were used to agree on: (1) a classification system, (2) subtype labels and definitions, and (3) a feasible diagnostic protocol for SSD. The finalised consensus was presented to a national meeting of 283 SLTs to determine the feasibility of the protocol for clinicians across the whole of the United Kingdom. Outcomes and Results: Workshop participants agreed that the Differential Diagnostic Classification System was preferred for the United Kingdom. A minimum diagnostic protocol, with additional assessment for complex SSD, was agreed. Over 90% of the national SLT meeting agreed that they could implement the definitions and protocol. Conclusions and Implications: A preliminary diagnostic protocol, classification system, and subtype names and definitions were agreed upon and are broadly in line with those proposed by Dodd (2014). Future work will trial the consensus protocol and classification system in the United Kingdom to investigate treatment outcomes and refine the protocol.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1472372
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Towards an Agreed Labelling System and Protocol for the Diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorder Subtypes in the United Kingdom
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Joanne+Cleland%22">Joanne Cleland</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0660-1646">0000-0002-0660-1646</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sam+Burr%22">Sam Burr</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4177-2459">0000-0002-4177-2459</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sam+Harding%22">Sam Harding</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5870-2094">0000-0002-5870-2094</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Helen+Stringer%22">Helen Stringer</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7470-2166">0000-0002-7470-2166</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yvonne+Wren%22">Yvonne Wren</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1575-453X">0000-0002-1575-453X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22"><i>International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders</i></searchLink>. 2025 60(3).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labeling+%28of+Persons%29%22">Labeling (of Persons)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clinical+Diagnosis%22">Clinical Diagnosis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Impairments%22">Speech Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Language+Pathology%22">Speech Language Pathology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Classification%22">Classification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Definitions%22">Definitions</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.70052
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  Data: 1368-2822<br />1460-6984
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: There is no single classification system or diagnostic protocol for speech sound disorder (SSD). This makes it difficult to collect large-scale outcome data and determine which interventions work best for which subtypes of SSD. The United Kingdom is unique in that its publicly funded healthcare system allows the collection of such outcome data across large numbers of children; however, a necessary first step towards this is to agree on a consistent diagnostic protocol and classification system for SSD that is feasible for use in the UK healthcare system. Aims: This study aimed to achieve an initial clinician-led UK consensus on a diagnostic protocol and classification system for SSD of unknown origin. Methods and Procedures: A mixed methods participatory design was used. Five UK health services provided SSD paperwork such as local guidelines and protocols for content analysis. Two participatory workshops were used to agree on: (1) a classification system, (2) subtype labels and definitions, and (3) a feasible diagnostic protocol for SSD. The finalised consensus was presented to a national meeting of 283 SLTs to determine the feasibility of the protocol for clinicians across the whole of the United Kingdom. Outcomes and Results: Workshop participants agreed that the Differential Diagnostic Classification System was preferred for the United Kingdom. A minimum diagnostic protocol, with additional assessment for complex SSD, was agreed. Over 90% of the national SLT meeting agreed that they could implement the definitions and protocol. Conclusions and Implications: A preliminary diagnostic protocol, classification system, and subtype names and definitions were agreed upon and are broadly in line with those proposed by Dodd (2014). Future work will trial the consensus protocol and classification system in the United Kingdom to investigate treatment outcomes and refine the protocol.
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