Niamh Botterill

This project explores the link between communication difficulties and mental health in children by investigating how cultural beliefs and healthcare shape Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) in Scotland and Malawi. The aim is to identify how different approaches to SLT treatment can be integrated to advance care.  This project will cover specific case studies, rather than large-scale global patterns. Children mainly receive clinical treatment in Scotland, whereas community practices are common in Malawi. For example, children may be supported through family, schools and community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes. This project will be partly desk-based. In-person qualitative interviews with parents and Speech and Language therapists will also be conducted. To ensure ethical standards are met, this study will not conduct interviews with children requiring SLT.