Introduction
As speech-language pathologists, we strive to provide the best possible outcomes for children with specific language impairments (SLI). Recent research by Oetting et al. (2019) offers valuable insights into assessing and treating children who speak nonmainstream dialects, such as African American English (AAE) and Southern White English (SWE). This blog will explore how practitioners can implement these findings to improve their clinical practice and encourage further research in this critical area.
Understanding Dialect-Specific Challenges
Children with SLI often struggle with tense and agreement structures, a challenge that becomes more complex when considering dialectal variations. The study by Oetting et al. (2019) highlights that AAE and SWE speakers with SLI mark tense and agreement at lower percentages than their typically developing (TD) peers. This finding underscores the importance of using dialect-informed probes to accurately assess these children.
Implementing Strategic Scoring
The research introduces a strategic scoring approach that considers both mainstream and nonmainstream overt forms while excluding responses that do not obligate the target structure. This method proved superior in identifying SLI in children speaking AAE and SWE, offering a more balanced sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional scoring methods.
Clinical Implications
For practitioners, the strategic scoring of dialect-informed probes can significantly enhance the accuracy of SLI diagnosis. The study found that past tense marking, particularly irregular past tense, is a strong indicator of SLI in both AAE and SWE speakers. Therefore, incorporating these probes into assessments can provide a clearer picture of a child's linguistic abilities.
Encouraging Further Research
While the current study provides a robust framework for assessing SLI in nonmainstream dialects, further research is needed to refine these methods and explore additional grammatical structures. Future studies should also consider different age groups and dialects to ensure the generalizability of these findings.
Conclusion
By embracing dialect-informed probes and strategic scoring, speech-language pathologists can better serve children with SLI, particularly those speaking AAE and SWE. This approach not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also helps tailor treatment plans to each child's unique linguistic profile. As we continue to explore this promising area of research, we can look forward to more effective interventions and improved outcomes for all children.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Specific Language Impairment in African American English and Southern White English: Measures of Tense and Agreement With Dialect-Informed Probes and Strategic Scoring.
