Characterizing the linguistic profiles, training needs, and caseloads of speech language pathologists providing clinical services to multilingual people with aphasia: The international Multilingual Aphasia Practices (MAP) consensus group survey

Abstract

Globally, there is still limited understanding of how Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assess and treat multilingual people with aphasia (MPWA). This article presents results from the Multilingual Aphasia Practices (MAP) survey—an extensive international study involving 407 SLPs working across 60 countries. The MAP survey explored: 1) the multilingual background of SLPs and the languages they incorporate into service delivery, 2) their knowledge and professional training related to multilingualism and multilingual aphasia, and 3) their workplace contexts and client profiles. A large proportion of respondents (79.7%) identified as multilingual and reported using numerous languages in their practice. However, formal training in multilingualism was often minimal. Only 25.06% had completed a course focused on multilingualism, and just 10.07% took a full course specific to multilingual aphasia. Most participants (87.2%) reported major gaps in knowledge and training, particularly regarding best-practice recommendations, supervised clinical experience, and guidance on assessment and intervention for MPWA. Many expressed a strong desire for additional professional development in these areas. Clinical exposure to MPWA varied widely. While 27% of respondents reported daily contact, 26.1% encountered MPWA once or twice per week, and 22.8% indicated that they worked with MPWA only a few days per month. Overall, our findings point to persistent and widespread global gaps in training, resources, and clinical readiness for working with MPWA. The results underscore an urgent need to enhance multilingualism-focused education in SLP programs, establish international best-practice frameworks, develop and disseminate culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment and treatment materials.