Supporting speech-language therapists in multilingual aphasia care: a narrative review and knowledge translation tool

Background Multilingual individuals are increasingly represented in speech-language therapists’ (SLTs) caseloads. Yet, clinicians report feeling underprepared to deliver linguistically and culturally responsive care, especially when clinical resources are mainly developed in English. This gap is particularly noticeable in French-speaking contexts, where access to tools tailored for multilingual aphasia care remains limited.Aim : To address this issue, we conducted a narrative review of the literature and developed a structured knowledge translation (KT) tool to support SLTs in providing person-centred, multilingual aphasia care.Method The narrative review combined evidence from over 60 sources (35 high-evidence-level studies and 33 case studies) from SpeechBite, ASHA Evidence Maps, Scopus and PubMed, focusing on studies from 2000 onwards related to aphasia, multilingualism, and clinical practice. Findings were sorted into assessment, intervention, and descriptive categories. After the review, the information was integrated into a Clinical KT tool for SLTs.Main contributions The resulting resource includes five asynchronous video modules and a companion PDF booklet aligned with the clinical care process: (1) Introduction – the multilingual person living with aphasia, (2) Elements to consider during the first meeting, (3) Adapted assessment, (4) Adapted speech-language therapy, and (5) Collaboration with an interpreter or translator. Each module provides evidence-based guidance and curated resource links. Throughout the tool, a clinical example helps clinicians envision how the presented content can be applied in practice. A custom GPT-4.0-powered chatbot, trained on the reviewed literature, is also included to provide real-time, evidence-informed support. The tool is based on the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) framework and adult learning principles, with attention to visual accessibility.Conclusions This paper outlines the rationale, development process, and structure of the KT tool. By offering practical, context-sensitive guidance in clinicians’ working languages, the tool aims to boost clinicians’ confidence, narrow the gap between research and practice, and ultimately enhance care quality for multilingual individuals with aphasia. The initial version was developed for French-speaking SLTs, and the tool is currently being adapted to English with the aim of serving as a model for broader multilingual adaptations. The tools are freely accessible online.