Effects of a Computer-Based Transcription Training on Clinicians' Accuracy in Identifying Spanish Dialectal Features:...

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Linguistics
• Clinical diagnostics

Background:

• Bilingual clinicians require specialized training to accurately assess diverse Spanish dialects.
• Distinguishing dialectal variations from speech sound disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Existing training methods may not adequately address the nuances of Spanish dialectal phonetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a computer-based training program for bilingual speech-language pathology clinicians.
• To improve the identification of dialect-specific phonetic features in Spanish.
• To enhance the differentiation between dialectal differences and speech sound disorders.

Main Methods:

• A single-case multiple-baseline design was used with six bilingual graduate students.
• The training employed a Teach-Model-Coach-Review framework across two modules.
• Data analysis focused on functional relations, supplemented by qualitative feedback.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated significant improvements in identifying dialectal features (Tau-U = 1.00, p < .01).
• Accurate differentiation between dialectal differences and disorders also significantly improved (Tau-U = 1.00, p < .05).
• Improvements were maintained, and participants reported increased confidence and preparedness.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based dialectal training is effective in enhancing diagnostic skills for bilingual clinicians.
• This training improves assessment accuracy and reduces misdiagnosis risk in Spanish-speaking clients.
• Structured training programs are vital for specialized clinical practice with diverse populations.