JCPSLP Vol 17 No 1 2015_lores

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JCPSLP Volume 17, Number 1 2015 1
Diversity in practice
As speech pathologists, we work in a large,
diverse, and dynamic field of practice.
We have the privilege of working with
clients and colleagues with different views and
experiences, cultural and linguistic backgrounds,
social and economic resources, and clinical
goals and needs. We are energised and inspired
by this diversity, but also challenged at times.
This issue of the Journal of Clinical Practice in
Speech-Language Pathology is aimed at sharing,
better understanding, embracing, and ultimately
celebrating this “Diversity in practice”.
We are fortunate as speech pathologists to be
able to draw upon a growing body of research
literature and a rich accumulation of practice-
wisdom to guide our clinical practice. Verdon
opens the issue with an insightful review identifying
six key principles of practice when working with
families from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds. McLeod illustrates that where gaps
in our knowledge exist, speech pathologists are leading international multidisciplinary
teams to devise innovative solutions, such as through the develo f the Intelligibility
in Context Scale. Yet there is clearly much more work to be done. Siyambalapitiya and
Davidson offer a timely review of the complexities speech pathologists face in managing
aphasia in bilingual and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals in an
Australian context. Pang, Mok, and Rose suggest that common barriers to providing
aphasia assessment and intervention to CALD populations appear to have changed little
over the past decade, and argue for urgent action to address the barriers.
Byrne in her article, and Williams in the “What’s the evidence” column, remind us that it
is not just diversity among our clients that shapes our work, but also diversity in our ranks.
Byrne draws on the findings of the recent Health Workforce Australia report examining the
speech pathology profession in noting that despite some progress in the past 15 years,
speech pathologists are still far from being representative of the Australian population with
respect to gender ratio, participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or
cultural and linguistic diversity. Williams reviews the evidence for diversity in both clients
and clinicians, and reminds us that diversification in the practice of speech pathology is an
international phenomenon that presents both challenges and opportunities.
Sokkar and McAllister turn our attention to the preparation of our next generation of
speech pathologists to work effectively in diverse practice settings. They highlight the
fact that although the private practice sector plays a critical role in meeting the needs
of Australians with communication and swallowing problems, few Australian university
programs offer clinical placements in private practice settings. Sokkar and McAllister’s
qualitative study sheds light on benefits and barriers associated with supervising students
in private practice. Golding and Leitão reflect on the ethical decision-making in supervising
students working with CALD clients. McKinley and colleagues present an example of an
innovative approach to service delivery for adults with acquired communication disorders
resulting from stroke that typifies the creative and diverse clinical approaches to practice
that both current and future speech pathologists will likely embrace.
This is my first issue as editor of JCPSLP, and I look forward to working together with
contributors and the Editorial Committee to sharing timely, innovative, rigorous, and at all
times clinically relevant, findings and practices from all areas of our diverse profession. I
warmly thank Jane McCormack and Anna Copley for their excellent stewardship of the
journal and ongoing and important contribution to the profession.
From the editor
David Trembath
1 From the editor
Contents