Service delivery framework for adolescents with communication problems who are involved in violence

The purpose of this article is to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with a framework to address the communication problems of adolescents involved in violence. Although it is not considered to be a comprehensive framework for planning intervention programs, it will provide suggestions to assist SLPs to conceptualize their role in addressing the communication needs of these individuals. Recommendations acquired through observations, interviews, and empirical data will form the basis for suggestions. Youth in correctional facilities come from schools and return to schools following their commitment, therefore, research from incarcerated adolescents serves as an appropriate foundation to form the basis for intervention recommendations. Hence, suggestions will apply to SLPs working in correctional facilities and school settings. Intervention programs containing socially and academically relevant activities that focus on assessment, general intervention principles, conversational interaction skills, and multidisciplinary interventions are included in the article.

Readers will understand (1) a framework to address the communication problems of adolescents involved in violence and (2) how research findings support the role of SLPs in addressing the needs of adolescents involved in violence.