Speech-Language Pathologists' Language Practices during Speech-Language Therapy for Bilingual Children.

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Bilingualism in children
• Communication disorders

Background:

• Clinical guidelines recommend supporting bilingual children in both languages.
• A significant shortage of bilingual speech-language pathologists (SLPs) exists in the US.
• Understanding current SLP practices with bilingual clients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the language practices of SLPs during intervention with bilingual children.
• To identify the resources needed to improve services for bilingual children with communication disorders.

Main Methods:

• Convergent mixed-methods study combining surveys and semi-structured interviews.
• Purposive sampling for interviews based on survey responses.
• Quantitative and qualitative data analyzed concurrently.

Main Results:

• Only 21.5% of bilingual clients received intervention in both languages.
• SLPs fluent in both client languages were more likely to provide dual-language services and use code-switching.
• SLPs employed creative strategies to overcome language barriers; common needs identified were more bilingual providers, training, multilingual materials, and interpreters.

Conclusions:

• SLP practices vary by linguistic background, but needs for resources are consistent.
• Findings offer insights into serving bilingual clients and highlight resource gaps.
• Recommendations for state-level advocacy, training, and resource allocation are suggested.