Language disorders are disorders in understanding and/or use of spoken, written, or other symbolic systems (e.g. sign language). A specific language impairment is a part of developmental language disorders. It has no known cause and includes different fields of language functioning. To name the language disorders of unknown cause, other different terms are also in use, such as speech-language disorder, developmental dysphasia, specific language deficits, etc. Different diagnostic criteria are also in use. Together with non-uniform terminology, they influence the knowledge of language disorders, public awareness, and access to speech-and-language-therapist services. Usually, accurate information on language disorders is not spread enough in public or is even inconsistent. In the theoretical starting points of the master’s thesis, we first presented speech-language disorders. Then, we accurately described developmental language disorders, the specific language impairment, the history of naming and the terminology of language disorders, and diagnostic criteria to define the specific language impairment. We also described the significance of public awareness in the field of speech and language therapy and presented the findings of recent research. By research, we wished to ascertain the level of public awareness of language disorders in Slovenia. The central purpose was also to ascertain whether there are statistically significant differences in the level of public awareness in language disorders in Slovenia with regards to age, gender, education, and socioeconomic status. The sample included 90 persons from the area of entire Slovenia and was composed of three age brackets: 18−39 years, 40−59 years, and 60 years and more. All the age brackets were represented equally. The participants filled in the questionnaire on public awareness of language disorders. By the research, we ascertained that the level of public awareness in Slovenia is questionable. Most of the participants know the expression language disorder. At the same time, they cannot define it correctly and do not know the characteristics of the disorder. We also ascertained that there are some statistically significant differences in public awareness of language disorders among different age brackets and with regards to gender, education, and socioeconomic status.
|