Icelandic speech-language pathology : the experience of speech-language pathologists in Iceland working with culturally and linguistically diverse children

• Main Author: Mallory Ann Swanson 1986-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Meistaraprófsritgerðir; Ísland; Talmeinafræðingar; Menningarleg fjölbreytni; Íslenska sem annað mál; International studies in education; Veita; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/42962

This paper is intended to provide insight on how speech-language therapy practice in Iceland is evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population of potential clients. It examines if and how culturally competent methods are being used in Icelandic speech-language therapy practices with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) clients. Best practice research in other countries has found that CLD clients benefit from the use of culturally competent methods in evaluation and services in Speech-Language Pathology and other health related services. This project looks at the experiences of four Icelandic Speech-Language Pathologists working with both native Icelandic speaking children, and (CLD) children (under the age of 18) in Iceland through in-depth, open-ended question interviews. With an expanding immigrant population in Iceland, the need for speech-language therapy evaluations and services in languages other than Icelandic is growing. The experiences of Speech-Language Pathologists are examined alongside current policies for speech-language therapy services to better understand how the system functions for those who speak Icelandic and those who do not. Speech-Language Pathologists are interviewed regarding the processes of identification, evaluation, and services provided in the field to see how they are using culturally competent methods in their practice. The research indicates that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Iceland feel that in many cases they lack the resources to accurately assess CLD clients and determine whether the child has a true speech or language disorder. SLPs with more years of experience in the field, and those that received their post-secondary education outside of Iceland report feeling more confident in their ability to work with CLD clients, but still feel there is a need for additional resources and training in this area. Þessari ritgerð er ætlað að veita innsýn í hvernig þjónusta talmeinafræðinga á Íslandi hefur þróast til að mæta þörfum sífellt ...