Culturally Responsive Practices for Supporting Youth in the Youth Justice System

The youth justice system, which relies heavily on verbally mediated processes and spoken interactions, often presents significant challenges for young people with communication disabilities. These barriers impede their ability to participate in justice procedures and access rehabilitation programs designed to reduce recidivism. Communication challenges may particularly impact Indigenous and ethnically minoritized youths’ ability to access support services because they are disproportionately overrepresented in youth justice systems. This article examines the challenges young people with communication disabilities encounter within youth justice systems and advocates for culturally responsive interventions to better support these individuals. We introduce the Hikairo Schema, a framework successfully implemented in New Zealand’s education context, and discuss how its key elements can be adapted to assist youth in the justice system who experience communication difficulties. The delivery of speech-language therapy services in culturally responsive ways is highlighted as an important consideration in designing effective interventions for at-risk youth in the justice system.