From Theory to Therapy: How South African Speech‐Language Pathologists Use Language Sample Analysis for Multilingual Children

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Given the globally increasing multilingual population and technological advances in language sample analysis, the study investigated the clinical utilisation of language sample analysis by speech-language pathologists practicing in South Africa. AIM: The current study explored South African speech-language pathologists' perspectives on language sample analysis (LSA) to offer further directions for research and clinical practice. METHOD AND PROCEDURES: Sixty-eight South African speech-language pathologists participated in this mixed-method survey design study. This study explored the perspectives on the use, barriers and enablers of LSA among users, as well as perspectives on LSA and alternative language assessment practices among non-users. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Most participants used LSA as part of child language assessment protocols. The most notable barriers were time constraints and limited knowledge and expertise in using LSA as an assessment measure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Research and clinical practice should continue to explore the potential of technological advances to bridge barriers posed by the time-consuming nature of transcription and the analysis of language samples. Graduate training and curricula should continue to encourage the use of LSA and enable speech-language pathologists to use it as a clinical tool for the fair assessment and intervention of multilingual children. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Language sample analysis is a widely recognised adjunct to the language assessment protocols for children; however, its clinical utilisation is low. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge The current study reports interesting findings indicating an upward trend in the clinical use of language sample analysis. What are the clinical implications of this study? The findings reiterate the use of a combination of elicitation methods for language sample analysis, especially in multilingual populations. It encourages clinicians to transcribe and analyse language samples to ensure valid assessment and encourages researchers to continue advancing technologies for these components of LSA to support the valid use of this method.