Collaborative music therapy and speech-language pathology for pediatric acquired communication impairments: a phenomenological international perspective

The partnership between music therapy and speech-language pathology is gaining recognition as an effective approach in the rehabilitation of young children with acquired communication impairments (ACIs). Yet, there remains a notable gap in understanding the distinctive contributions and challenges inherent in this collaborative practice. This study explored the perspectives of music therapists (MTs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the unique role of this collaborative effort, the elements of successful collaboration, and the methods implemented by clinicians to evaluate outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine pairs of MTs and SLPs in rehabilitation facilities across seven countries. These interviews were analyzed thematically using Van Manen’s approach to hermeneutic phenomenology. Three themes arose from the data: (a) the role of collaborative music therapy and speech-language pathology, (b) building blocks of successful collaboration, and (c) evaluating collaborative practices. This collaboration fosters a unified strategy aimed at achieving shared language and communication goals. By combining their distinct expertise, MTs and SLPs can address the complex and varied needs of children with ACIs more effectively. However, further research is essential to comprehensively understand the functional outcomes arising from such collaborative endeavors in pediatric ACIs. This is crucial for validating the efficacy and significance of this approach in bolstering language and communication skills and advocating for its wider integration within rehabilitation services.