Social Attitudes, Stigma, and Inclusion of People with Speech and Language Difficulties: Significance for Speech and Language Therapists in the North African and Middle Eastern Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59992/IJESA.2026.v5n10p10الكلمات المفتاحية:
Speech and Language Difficulties، Societal Attitudes: Caregivers’ Perceptions، North Africa and the Middle Eastالملخص
Speech and language difficulties can affect individuals’ social participation, educational and employment opportunities, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being. Beyond communication-related challenges, societal attitudes, stereotypes, and environmental barriers may further influence their experiences and opportunities for inclusion. This study aims to explore community perceptions of individuals with speech and language difficulties and examine caregivers’ perspectives on the influence of societal attitudes, inclusion practices, and support systems on their everyday experiences and well-being within North African and Middle Eastern communities. A descriptive qualitative content-analysis approach was employed. Data were collected through two structured online questionnaires administered in Arabic using Google Forms. The first questionnaire involved 195 community participants, while the second involved 12 caregivers of individuals with speech and language difficulties. Responses were analyzed descriptively according to three predetermined themes: social attitudes, stereotypes, and stigma; social inclusion, participation, and equal opportunities; and support systems, awareness, and personal well-being. The findings revealed generally supportive community attitudes toward educational inclusion, equal employment opportunities, teamwork, workplace accommodations, and increased societal awareness. Nevertheless, misconceptions concerning intelligence, personality, communication competence, and suitability for certain professional roles remained evident. Caregivers reported concerns regarding negative social judgments, reduced communication confidence, avoidance of participation, restricted leadership opportunities, and insufficient patience from others. They also emphasized the importance of family, peer, educational, and workplace support in promoting confidence, participation, and recognition of individuals’ abilities. The findings suggest a potential gap between favorable community attitudes toward inclusion and the barriers perceived by caregivers in everyday settings. Although the small caregiver sample limits the generalizability of these findings, the study highlights the importance of addressing social and environmental barriers alongside communication difficulties. It further emphasizes the significance of speech and language therapists in promoting participation-oriented interventions, caregiver and community awareness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and inclusive communication environments.
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