A fala e o gesto

: o papel do terapeuta da fala nos diferentes graus de surdez

Abstract

This dissertation aims to find answers to the outlined research question: What is the role of speech therapists in the different degrees of hearing loss (mild, moderate, severe, profound)? In order to answer this question, a quantitative and descriptive study was carried out, in which data was collected through a questionnaire made available to 12 Speech Therapists, Reference School Clusters and Secondary Schools for the Bilingual Education of Deaf Students in the country. Empirical data concluded that the first research hypothesis was not confirmed because in mild deafness, most of the times, it is essential to correct the existing articulation disorder, characterized by the distortion of certain phonemes. These students experience changes in speech, particularly in phonology and morphosyntax. In the case of profoundly deaf students, speech therapy is essential and therefore, the second raised hypothesis is acceptable. The third hypothesis was confirmed, underlying the important role of the Speech Therapist. Although the Speech Therapist’s intervention is more relevant in some cases, it is always crucial to the rehabilitation of these students.

Date of Award	2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	José Afonso Baptista (Supervisor)