Speech and Language Therapy Services for Bilingual Clients

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hayden, Aoife

Affiliations: Speech & Language Therapist, Rathfarnham Health Centre, Grange Rd., Dublin 14

Abstract: Ireland has long been a country with speakers of more than one language. This is reflected in acknowledgement of both Irish and English as official languages since the creation of the state. In more recent times however, the number and variety of bilingual and multilingual speakers has increased greatly. This has significant implications for speech and language therapy services in particular. This article reviews the literature on speech and language therapy and bilingualism. It furthermore describes the results of research investigating the current provision of services to bilingual clients in a selected Irish regional health authority. A lack of appropriate services to bilingual clients is identified and some recommendations are made for improving service provision.

Keywords: bilingualism, speech and language therapy services, guidelines, advice, interpretative services

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2004-14106

Journal: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 77-99, 2004