Session 3 : Space for reflective practice

Welcome to this space to continue your learning. Within this space, we encourage you to engage in a reflective practice. Through this space, we aim to support you in continuing to delve into the important issues, perspectives, and approaches presented by our speakers, Dr. Sabah Meziane and Dr. Andrea MacLeod.

As you continue to engage in this process, we recommend you create a journal - either on paper or on your computer. In this journal, you might consider reflecting on: What do I know about language, discrimination, and access to early intervention ? How do I know (e.g., lived experiences, professional experiences, formal learning)? What have I learned through this talk? What questions has it raised? Where am I going? How can I continue this learning?

What will you find here?

• A summary and recording of the talk

• Suggested readings to further your reflections

• Refection questions on the topic

We would be so pleased if you would share your thoughts in an anonymised space to share back with learners along this journey together.

Summary

Dr. Sabah Meziane and Dr. Andrea MacLeod drew on Critical Race Theory and discussed how language background and experiences of discrimination could lead to barriers in accessing early intervention.

Specifically, they shared that:

• Early intervention is essential for children with developmental disabilities to become healthy and productive adults.

• Early identification is a significant challenge for children from marginalized families due to differences in languages, knowledge of the health care system, and perspectives and expectations relating to development.

• Commonly used screening and assessment tools are not adapted to diverse cultures or different language backgrounds.

• Practitioners may over or under identify children who could benefit from early intervention.

• The "wait and see" approach disadvantages children from minoritized communities.

They reviewed steps toward change that are needed in training of future SLPs, clinical practice, and in research.

Recording of the Speaker Session

We are pleased to share Dr. Meziane & MacLeod's talk.

Suggested Readings

The University of Alberta's Library has a wonderful set of resources for exploring Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

https://guides.library.ualberta.ca/edi/home.

As you continue your learning, we would recommend you explore these readings.

MacLeod, A. A., Meziane, R. S., & Pesco, D. (2020). Language abilities of children with refugee backgrounds: Insights from case studies. Applied Psycholinguistics, 41(6), 1329-1349.

Boone Blanchard, S., Ryan Newton, J., Didericksen, K. W., Daniels, M., & Glosson, K. (2021). Confronting racism and bias within early intervention: The responsibility of systems and individuals to influence change and advance equity. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 41(1), 6-17.

Khanlou, N., Haque, N., Mustafa, N., Vazquez, L. M., Mantini, A., & Weiss, J. (2017). Access barriers to services by immigrant mothers of children with autism in Canada. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 15(2), 239-259.

SLPS of Color's Position Statement #1