Speech Pathology Australia Position Statement Working Party Meeting

Today we had another Speech Pathology Australia Position Statement Working Party Meeting. We submitted our position statement and clinical guidelines some time ago and they are undergoing review by Speech Pathology Australia. The previous version was titled ‘Working in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Society Position Paper’ but will be retitled as ‘Culturally Responsive Speech Pathology Position Statement’ or 'Culture and Diversity in Speech Pathology Practice'.

Speech Pathology Australia has changed their processes for all position statements as a result of receiving our Position Statement. They are now going to send the draft position statements for independent review. I think this is a wonderful impact of the influence of our work. Congratulations to Dr Sarah Verdon who has led the process and the team.

German publication about the IEPMCS position paper

The following journal article has just been published
Neumann, S., Meinusch, M., Verdon, S. & McLeod, S. (2016) Mehrsprachige Kinder mit Aussprachestörung: Internationales Positionspapier [Multilingual children with speech sound disorder: International position paper], Logos, – Fachzeitschrift für akademische Sprachtherapie und Logopädie, 3, 164-175 doi: 10.7345/prolog-1603165

It is available here and here.
The paper is a result of the collaboration with colleagues in Germany to describe the development and application of the position paper developed by the International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech. Here is the English version of the abstract:

Some children have speech sound disorders (SSD) regardless of whether they speak one, two, or multiple languages. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) across the world have indicated that they may not have adequate skills and resources to provide appropriate care for multilingual children with speech sound disorders. This paper presents the first international position paper for working with multilingual children with SSD (IEPMCS, 2012). The position paper aims to provide direction and practical strategies for SLPs and related professionals working with children who are multilingual and/ or multicultural, and to inform governments and policy makers in health care systems to provide optimal care internationally. The position paper was developed 2012 in a five-step procedure by the International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech/IEPMCS) comprising 57 researchers of speech-language pathology during face-to-face discussion (with 14 members) and additional online-discussions with additional participants. A position paper of 5 pages was published, that incorporates the components of the ICF-CY and reflects the following contents: definitions, objectives in the framework of the ICF-CY (WHO, 2007), identified challenges to provide culturally competent and evidence-based services to multilingual children with speech sound disorders and recommended best practice. The current position paper gives Germany guidance for best practice when working with children with SSD and their parents in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way. To implement the paper in research and practice will be an important goal for the future.

Mehrsprachige Kinder mit Aussprachestörung: Internationales Positionspapier [Multilingual children with speech sound disorder: International position paper]

The following article has been accepted for publication and is a result of collaboration with Dr. Sandra Neumann from the Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) in Germany.

Neumann, S., Meinusch, M., Verdon, S. & McLeod, S. (2016, in press) Mehrsprachige Kinder mit Aussprachestörung: Internationales Positionspapier [Multilingual children with speech sound disorder: International position paper], Logos. doi: 10.7345/prolog-1602084.

Here is the English version of the abstract:

Some children have speech sound disorders (SSD) regardless of whether they speak one, two, or multiple languages. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) across the world have indicated that they may not have adequate skills and resources to provide appropriate care for multilingual children with speech sound disorders.

This paper presents the first international position paper for working with multilingual children with SSD (IEPMCS, 2012). The position paper aims to provide direction and practical strategies for SLPs and related professionals working with children who are multilingual and/or multicultural, and to inform governments and policy makers in health care systems to provide optimal care internationally.

The position paper was developed in a five-step procedure by the International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech/IEPMCS) comprising 57 researchers of speech-language pathology during face-to-face discussion (with 14 members) and additional online-discussions with additional participants.

A position paper of 5 pages was published, that incorporates the components of the ICF-CY and reflects the following contents: definitions, objectives in the framework of the ICF-CY (WHO, 2007), identified challenges to provide culturally competent and evidence-based services to multilingual children with speech sound disorders and recommended best practice.

The current position paper gives Germany guidance for best practice when working with children with SSD and their parents in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way. To implement the paper in research and practice will be an important goal for the future.

Launch of the Position Paper on Multilingual Children with Speech Sound Disorders

Today is the launch of the Multilingual Children with Speech Sound Disorders: Position Paper that was created by the International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children's Speech. Here is the reference:

International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech (2012). Multilingual children with speech sound disorders: Position paper. Bathurst, NSW, Australia: Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE), Charles Sturt University. Retrieved from http://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/position-paper

An international expert panel was assembled comprising 57 researchers (SLPs, linguists, phoneticians) with specialist knowledge in multilingual children’s speech, or children with speech sound disorders. Combined, they had worked in 33 countries and used 26 languages in their professional practice. Fourteen panel members met for a one-day workshop to discuss the challenges of working with multilingual children, and to develop guidelines and key points for inclusion in the first draft of the position paper. Subsequently, 42 panel members joined the group and participated online to make further contributions and comment on drafts of the position paper. Finally, a moderator with international expertise in children with speech sound disorders facilitated the incorporation of the panel’s recommendations. The resulting position paper provides guidelines for the provision of culturally competent services to multilingual children with speech sound disorders. It is structured using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Children and Youth Version (WHO, 2007) incorporates recommendations for (i) children and families, (ii) SLPs’ assessment and intervention, (iii) SLPs’ professional practice, and (iv) SLPs’ collaboration with other professionals. 

Purpose of the position paper
“The position paper is an aspirational document for individuals who strive for the development of policies and best practices for multilingual and/or multicultural children with speech sound disorders. It is based on international understandings of professional practice. It suggests a foundation for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in health/medical, education, and community sectors, as well as professional associations, governments, and universities that prepare SLPs to promote speech and language competence for all children in the languages of their communities. It is also relevant for everyone involved with enhancing the communicative competence of multilingual children, including interpreters, educators, and other professionals, families and communities.” (International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech, 2012, p.1)
“Within the position paper the International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech: 

1. Acknowledges that children are competent, capable, and creative and have individual characteristics, interests, and circumstances. 
2. Recognizes, values, and promotes genuine, reciprocal and respectful partnerships between children, families, communities, SLPs, interpreters, educators, and all who support the acquisition of communicative competence.
3. Acknowledges that recent technological advances have increased access to and availability of information about languages (including real-time international audiovisual linkages) that enable re-envisioning of best practice.
4. Encourages critical reflection on established policies and practices and their underlying assumptions.” (International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech, 2012, p.1)

Position statement
“The International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech recommends that:

1. Children are supported to communicate effectively and intelligibly in the languages spoken within their families and communities, in the context of developing their cultural identities.
2. Children are entitled to professional speech and language assessment and intervention services that acknowledge and respect their existing competencies, cultural heritage, and histories. Such assessment and intervention should be based on the best available evidence.
3. SLPs aspire to be culturally competent and to work in culturally safe ways.
4. SLPs aspire to develop partnerships with families, communities, interpreters, and other health and education professionals to promote strong and supportive communicative environments.
5. SLPs generate and share knowledge, resources, and evidence nationally and internationally to facilitate the understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity that will support multilingual children’s speech acquisition and communicative competency. 
6. Governments, policy makers, and employers acknowledge and support the need for culturally competent and safe practices and equip SLPs with additional time, funding, and resources in order to provide equitable services for multilingual children.” (International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech, 2012, p. 2) 

   

   Sharynne McLeod and Sarah Verdon (co-chairs) of the International Expert Panel
   with the final version of the position paper

   
   

Moderating comments on the position paper

Since June, I have been working with the International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children's Speech to develop a position paper on multilingual children with speech sound disorders (see post from June, 2012). Dr Caroline Bowen came to Bathurst on Thursday 20th and Monday 24th September to moderate the comments on the penultimate version of the draft. We worked with Sarah Verdon to integrate 21 versions of the document sent to us from people across the world, as well as the comments received via email and Google docs. The international collaboration has been outstanding. We are finalising the paper at the moment, and hope that in a few months it will be broadly available as an aspirational document for children, families, speech-language pathologists and other professionals we collaborate with.

Dr. Caroline Bowen and Sharynne working on the Multilingual Children with Speech Sound Disorders Position Paper

International expert panel on multilingual children's speech

Today I chaired an international expert panel on multilingual children's speech in Cork, Ireland. This was the first meeting of the panel, and subsequent meetings with a larger group of participants will be held virtually. The aims of the panel are to:

• Define international best practice guidelines for working with multilingual children with speech sound disorders.
• Identify practical pathways for improvement of international practices for working with multilingual children with speech sound disorders.
• Share resources, current research, and exemplary practices regarding multilingual children’s speech.
• Plan collaborative projects to advance knowledge about multilingual children’s speech.

 We had a very rich discussion throughout the day, that was inspired by the following quote: How do we “close the gap between the linguistic homogeneity of the profession and the linguistic diversity of its clientele” ?(Caesar & Kohler, 2007, p. 198) 

By the end of the day we had outlined issues to enable us to prepare the draft of a position paper on multilingual children's speech. 

The international expert panel hard at work

The panel was still smiling at the end of our stimulating day together