Vulnerable Populations in Speech Pathology

Vulnerable Populations: Children & Youth

  • Vulnerability

  • Defined by the Australian Government (ACNC, 2018):

    • Individuals under 18 or those unable to care for or protect themselves against harm or exploitation.
    • Vulnerability can be temporary or ongoing.
    • Recognition of vulnerability is crucial for addressing underlying factors and impacts.

  • Categories of Vulnerable Persons

  • Australian Government identifies the following at-risk groups:

    • Children and seniors
    • Individuals with impaired intellectual/physical functioning
    • Individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds
    • Indigenous individuals (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders)
    • Non-native speakers
    • Individuals with low literacy levels
    • Victims of modern slavery (e.g., forced labor, trafficking)

  • WHO Definition of Vulnerability (Tangcharoensathien et al., 2016)

  • Focuses on those "left behind," with services prioritizing this group.

  • Vulnerability can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

  • Personal factors contributing to vulnerability include:

    • Sex, race, age, gender, and health status
    • Specific services must consider the social and economic contexts.
Communication Competence & Development

  • Key Risk Factors affecting vulnerability:

  • Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs): emotional abuse, caregiver mental illness, violence, etc.

  • Socioeconomic Status (SES) and school engagement

  • Learning difficulties, neurocognitive disabilities, and substance abuse.

  • Communication Competence (Snow, 2009):

  • Engaging with various communication partners through spoken language, which requires:

    • Proficiency in oral language components: phonology, morphology, semantics, etc.
    • Skills in reading comprehension and written language.
Social-Emotional Development
  • Biopsychosocial Model:
  • Links between socioemotional development and language. Factors include:
    • Child characteristics (gender, etc.)
    • Maternal education and mental health
    • Security of attachment to caregivers
    • Environmental socioeconomic factors.
School & Literacy

  • Impact of Socioeconomic Status (SES) on Literacy:

  • Individual Level: parent income, education, home environment, etc.

  • School Level: quality of reading instruction, teacher expectations, and school resources.

  • School-age Predictors of Engagement:

  • History of academic performance, familial support, mental health, and social skills are critical for future engagement.

Key Terminology & Services

  • Key Terms (Safe & Supported Framework):

  • At-Risk: Circumstances raising concerns for child welfare.

  • Vulnerable: Families with conditions putting them at heightened risk for abuse/neglect.

  • Child Protection: Services aimed at safeguarding children from abuse or neglect.

  • Out-of-Home Care (OoHC): Care for children unable to live with families due to safety concerns.

  • Indicators of Abuse/Neglect (WHO, 2006):

  • Physical: unexplained bruises, burns, etc.

  • Emotional: changes in behavior, withdrawal, fearfulness.

  • Speech Pathology’s Role in Vulnerable Populations:

  • Awareness of how vulnerability can affect communication development.

  • Diverse settings including child protection, schools, and health services, focusing on early detection and intervention.