Recently, a Speech Therapy Unit was set up by PolyU’s Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies. Operated by a group of experienced and qualified speech therapists, the Speech Therapy Unit offers assessment and treatment services to people suffering from communication and swallowing disorders. In this issue, Dr Leung Man-tak, Associate Professor at PolyU’s Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies and person-in-charge of the Speech Therapy Unit, will introduce the roles and services of the Speech Therapy Unit.

1/ How great is the demand for speech therapists in the region?

The demand for speech therapists is huge. Due to the marked discrepancy between the number of speech therapy professionals available and the number of people with communication disorders on the Chinese mainland, more and more mainlanders are coming to Hong Kong for private speech and language therapy service. According to the national survey done in 2006, there were 1.27 million people suffering from speech and language disorders.

2/ Who will need the help of speech therapists?

Speech therapists help people who are not able to learn, understand or use language. These people may have disorders resulting from strokes, injuries, faulty learning and development or psychosocial problems.

3/ What are the roles of the Speech Therapy Unit?

The Speech Therapy Unit serves as an inter-disciplinary research, learning and teaching platform. On one hand, it facilitates the research collaborations among linguists, speech therapists and academics from related disciplines. On the other hand, it serves to provide valuable clinical experience for the training of language and allied health professionals as well as cognitive science students.

4/ How can the Speech Therapy Unit reach out to those who need its services?

PolyU has previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs). The Speech Therapy Unit will foster quality and effective support services to students with special educational needs through evidence-based research, public education and professional development at schools in the areas of learning and teaching. The partnership has started less than one year ago and the initial outcome is very encouraging.

5/ Does PolyU offer any programme on speech therapy?

PolyU will launch the Master of Speech Therapy programme starting September 2013. As the first full-time postgraduate Speech Therapy programme offered by a recognized university in Hong Kong, it aims to nurture more speech therapists with professional knowledge and skills to meet the demand in Hong Kong and Chinese mainland.