Supporting Emergent Bilinguals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Their Families: Lessons in Telepractice From the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Am J Speech Lang Pathol
; 31(5): 2004-2021, 2022 09 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1972682
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on speech-language pathologist (SLP) service provision for emergent bilinguals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). One prominent issue in AAC service delivery is the efficacy and feasibility of providing AAC services via telepractice. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this issue as most providers, clients, and families adjusted to remote service delivery models. While emerging evidence supports telepractice in AAC, little is known about the potential benefits and challenges of telepractice for emergent bilinguals who use AAC and their families.METHOD:
Data were collected via a nationwide survey. Licensed SLPs (N = 160) completed an online questionnaire with Likert-type, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions, analyzed using mixed methods.RESULTS:
Findings illustrated a shift in service delivery from in-person to telepractice and hybrid (both telepractice and in-person) models. Overall, child intervention outcomes declined for emergent bilinguals who used AAC during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of service delivery format. However, collaboration increased for many providers and families. Qualitative analyses highlighted barriers to AAC service provision for emergent bilinguals who use AAC that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as factors that facilitated collaboration and family engagement.CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest that, despite challenges, telepractice or hybrid services may be a promising approach to provide more culturally responsive, family-centered care for emergent bilinguals who use AAC. SUPPLEMENTALMATERIAL:
https//doi.org/10.23641/asha.20405673.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Speech-Language Pathology
/
Communication Disorders
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Speech Lang Pathol
Journal subject:
Speech-Language Pathology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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