Background: Collaboration between Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and parents is
considered best practice for children with developmental disorders. However, such collaborative
approach is not yet implemented in therapy for children with developmental language disorders
(DLD) in the Netherlands. Improving Dutch SLTs’ collaboration with parents requires insight in
factors that influence the way SLTs work with parents.
Aims: To explore the specific beliefs of Dutch SLTs that influence how they collaborate with
parents of children with DLD.
Methods and procedures: We conducted three online focus groups with 17 SLTs using a reflection
tool and fictional examples of parents to prompt their thoughts, feelings and actions on specific
scenarios. Data were organised using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).
Outcomes and results: We identified 34 specific beliefs across nine TDF domains on how SLTs
collaborate with parents of children with DLD. The results indicate that SLTs hold beliefs on how
to support SLTs in collaborating with parents but also conflicting specific beliefs regarding
collaborative work with parents. The latter relate to SLTs’ perspectives on their professional role
and identity, their approach towards parents, and their confidence and competence in working
collaboratively with parents.