Communication Intervention in South Africa: Advocating for the Listening and Spoken Language Approach

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Communication Intervention in South Africa: Advocating for the Listening and Spoken Language Approach
 
Creator Casoojee, Aisha
 
Subject Audiology; Early Intervention, Speech-Language Therapy early intervention; EHDI; Listening and Spoken Language; communication outcomes; hearing impairment; contextual healthcare; South Africa; speech-language therapy; audiology; family-centred care
Description Adhering to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines is critical for the timely identification and management of infants with hearing impairment. Early intervention specifically focusses on family-centred communication interventions, of which the Listening and Spoken Language–South Africa (LSL-SA) approach is available for children with hearing impairment in South Africa. Studies have evidenced significant benefits for children with hearing impairment enrolled in LSL-SA compared to those enrolled in Traditional Speech-Language Therapy (TSLT), that is, age-equivalent communication outcomes, shorter duration of therapy until discharge, meritorious academic performance and integration into a hearing society. Despite these positive outcomes related to the LSL-SA approach, significant contextual barriers hinder effective implementation nationwide.Contribution: The successful implementation of EHDI guidelines in South Africa hinges on overcoming barriers through tailored healthcare strategies and contextualised delivery. Adapting frameworks such as LSL-SA to fit the local context is crucial for advancing equitable access to EHDI services, positively impacting children with hearing impairment and their families. This article highlights the systemic challenges in South Africa in optimising resources by adopting linguistically appropriate and culturally responsive early intervention approaches to champion hearing healthcare initiatives. Effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders is essential for enhancing the uptake of EHDI guidelines and translating policy into impactful communication interventions. Implementing the core principles of the LSL-SA approach will not only ensure access to this specialised service for suitable candidates but may also alleviate specific barriers to EHDI implementation within TSLT approaches.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor None
Date 2024-10-28
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1071
 
Source South African Journal of Communication Disorders; Vol 71, No 1 (2024); 6 pages 2225-4765 0379-8046
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1071/2322 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1071/2323 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1071/2324 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1071/2325
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Aisha Casoojee https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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