Assessment Practices for Multilingual Learners

Alisa Baron, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

From The University of Rhode Island



Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (6:45 pm – 9:00 pm)

Live Zoom Event 

This CE Event is free for RISHA members

Please RSVP by March 12th by completing this Google form. Please contact our Office Manager at risha.officemanager@gmail.com if you have any questions or issues with registering. If you’re a member of another state association, make sure to let us know. 0.2 ASHA CEUs are available for this event. Note: you must be registered with the ASHA CE Registry in order to earn and track ASHA CEU’s.

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Overview of Presentation

Many speech language pathologists are unsure when aspects of a child’s speech and language are true errors and thus warrant a diagnostic label or are differences due to first language influence. In this talk, difference and disorder will be discussed to better help with assessment and diagnosis of multilingual learners. The use of interpreters will be discussed in both an evidence-based manner as well as a practical one. Some assessments are considered biased against multilingual learners. Standardized and nonstandardized assessment practices will be reviewed to support decision making. 

Learner Outcomes

  1. Participants will explain the differences between speech differences and a speech sound disorder. 
  2. Participants will describe markers of language impairment for multilingual learners.
  3. Participants will identify how to work with an interpreter to complete an assessment of a multilingual learner. 

Time Ordered Agenda

6:45-7:00 PM: Log in

7:00-7:15 PM: Bilingual language development introduction

7:15-7:35 PM: Difference or Disorder: speech

7:35-7:55 PM: Difference or Disorder: language

7:55-8:10 PM: Using a trained interpreter or what to do if one is not available

8:10-8:25 PM: Standardized and non-standardized assessments to use with MLLs 

8:25-8:30 PM: Available resources

8:30-9:00 PM: Questions & answers

Biography of Presenter

Dr. Alisa Baron is an Assistant Professor of Communicative Disorders at The University of Rhode Island. She has been a practicing multilingual speech language pathologist for over 10 years. Her work focuses on the language and literacy development of Spanish-English bilingual children with and without developmental language disorders. She uses technologies such as EEG/ERP, eye tracking, and functional near infrared spectroscopy to extend the understanding of the neurobiological, physiological, and cognitive processes that underpin language and literacy development in bilingual children.

Disclosures

Financial: Dr. Baron receives a salary from The University of Rhode Island.

Non-financial: Dr. Baron has no relevant non-financial disclosures.

 

This course is offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory level, Professional area)