Rachel Squyres
May 21, 2016
American Sign Language Within the Speech Language Pathology Field
As a recently graduated Speech Language Pathologist, my interest in the Deaf and
hard of hearing community relates greatly to the role Speech Language
Pathologists (SLPs) play in treating this population. While studying Deaf
culture over the past few months, I have learned a great deal about the beliefs
and customs that make up the Deaf community. However, until I researched the
topic of the role SLPs play within this community, I was still unclear of how
the two worlds interconnected. Much of the research, which relates to both
Speech Language Pathology and American Sign Language (ASL), is targeted at
speech production. That is to say, many SLPs are of the opinion that using a
signed language to communicate with children who are slow to talk will actually
encourage those children to use spoken language as well. This view is quite
different from the perspective of the Deaf community who would prefer to use ASL
as a sole source of communication. While most Speech Language Pathologists focus
more on speech production, there are a minority of SLPs who work with deaf
people to treat signed language disorders.
Dr. Harriet Kaplan of Gallaudet University wrote an article about Deaf culture
pertaining to speech and hearing professionals. In her article she explains in
detail some of the values within Deaf culture, including the desire for deaf and
hard of hearing people to participate in day-to-day communications using ASL.
Dr. Kaplan states , "Even though speech is not compatible with ASL, culturally
Deaf people may be interested in spoken English because they realize they must
interact with hearing people." Speech Language Pathologists may play a
role in aiding deaf persons who have a desire to use spoken language outside of
the Deaf community. In order for SLPs to serve the Deaf community it is
important that they have a thorough knowledge of Deaf culture and are respectful
of the values of the people they serve (Kaplan,1996).
The second article I chose, Speech-Language Pathologists in Schools for the
Deaf: A Survey of Scope of Practice, Service Delivery, Caseload, and Program
Features pertains to SLPs working in schools for the Deaf. The article points
out the necessity for SLPs to be fluent in sign language, as do the other
articles cited in this paper. The focus of SLPs in deaf schools tends to be on
written languages, sign language, and functional communication. The article also
points out that while some SLPs do work in deaf schools, the majority of deaf
and hard of hearing children attend public schools, therefore the need for SLPs
in public schools to know ASL is also on the rise (Seal, Rossi, &Henderson,
1998).
In the field of Speech Language Pathology most language diagnoses and treatments
focus on spoken language. There is, however, a fairly new concept of language
impairment within signed language. Cripps, Cooper, Supalla, and Evitts (2015)
propose that deaf people face the same medical possibilities as hearing people
do and, therefore, can face language production impairments. While hearing
people typically exhibit language impairments in spoken language, deaf people
may exhibit signed language impairments. People who suffer from strokes often
times lose optimal language functioning. This is true not only for hearing
persons, but deaf persons as well. In order for SLPs to treat patients in this
area they must have an extensive knowledge of ASL, which would include far more
training than a simple college level sign course. Cripps et al., (2015) note
that nearly 1,000 deaf stroke survivors in the United States suffer from aphasia
due to strokes. To this date there is no evidence-based instruction for
professionals to aid in improving these disorders, which means that SLPs are
currently unqualified for such an endeavor. However, with more research, the
field of Speech Language Pathology within the ASL/Deaf community holds promise.
After researching the role of Speech Language Pathologists within the Deaf and
ASL community, I have found that little research exists. In the future more
research should be conducted in order for SLPs to better provide evidence-based
practice within the Deaf community. The two overarching themes from the
research that does exist are: the importance for SLPs to be familiar with the
culture and beliefs of the Deaf community, and the importance of fluency in ASL
when working with the Deaf community.
References
Cripps, J. H., Cooper, S. B., Supalla, S. J., &Evitts, P. M. (2015). Meeting the
Needs of Signers in the Field of Speech and Language Pathology: Some
Considerations for Action. Communication Disorders Quarterly,37(2),
108-116.doi:10.1177/1525740115576955
Kaplan, H. (1996). The Nature of Deaf Culture: Implications for Speech and
Hearing Professionals. Journal of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology, XXIX.
71-84.Retrieved from http://www.audrehab.org/jara/1996/Kaplan,%20%20JARA,%20%201996.pdf
Seal, B. C., Rossi, P., & Henderson, C. (1998). Speech-Language Pathologists in
Schools for the Deaf: A Survey of Scope of Practice, Service Delivery, Caseload,
and Program Features. American Annals of the Deaf,143(3). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9680735/
Notes:
Also see: Sign Language in
Early Intervention Programs