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Explore the prevalence of communication disorders in young people in custody, the impact on behavior, and the need for oral language assessment tools in the youth justice system. Discover the importance of training to change approaches and establish a supportive culture. Contact Mark Stephenson for more information.
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A SMART YOUTH HEALTH SYSTEM: New and Emerging Approaches Mark Stephenson Speech-Language Therapist Teacher 2016 Vodafone Fellow
The prevalence of communication disorders in young people in custody was 60-90% • the highest rate of all the neurodevelopmental disorders reported in this population. Hughes et al (2012)
Across UK, USA & Australia, 50-60% of young males who offend have clinically significant levels of language impairmentSnow (2013)
Emerging data in NZ suggest that figures here may be similar, or perhaps even worseRucklidge, McLean, & Bateup (2013)Lount, Purdy, Hand & Kedge (2014)
About 8-12 % of children have significant speech and language difficulties (depending on criteria) in the absence of any other condition
About 60% of young people in the criminal justice system have an oral communication difficulty • (Bryan, Freer & Furlong, 2007, Bryan et al, 2004, Snow, Powell & Sanger 2012) There are strong associations between behavioural difficulties and oral language difficulties (Lindsay & Dockrell, 2000, Brownlie et al 2004)
NZ & overseas studies found that most of the young people in the youth justice system had never been assessed for oral language difficulties, and were receiving no oral language support at the time of the various studies
“Studies … consistently highlight unmet needs due to lack of identification and difficulties accessing appropriate support and intervention” Hughes et al (2012) p12
“ They were using big words – so I thought ‘what the f*** ’ and I just said ‘Yep’ “
Police interviews…Youth Advocate discussions…Family Group Conferences…Restorative meetings…Court proceedings…Counselling…“Everything is a talkfest!”
“ They called me into the courtroom. They said stand in the dock.I didn’t know what a dock was…“
How could we easily discover whichyoung people mayhave an oral languageproblem?
Oral Language Assessment Tool[OLAT]- designed for use by any youth justice professionals.
Oral Language Assessment Tool[OLAT]- designed for use by any youth justice professionals.- addresses key areas of understanding & expression pertinent to youth justice context
“Remorse? Dunno what that means. I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.”
Oral Language Assessment Tool [OLAT]concepts of timevocabulary [YJ]figurative languagetag questions
Oral Language Assessment Tool [OLAT] the ability to explain thingsunderstanding syntaxusing syntax…
“ They said I’m charged with ‘possession of instruments for conversion’ – the only instruments I know are musical so I thought they were charging me with something I never did – a ram raid on a music shop.”
Once we realised a young person had problems with understanding,what if…we changedhow we do what we do in youth justice?
Once we realised a young person had problems with understanding,what if…we changedhow we do what we do in youth justice? TRAINING TO CHANGE
Establishing a culture where it’s OK to and ask if you don’t understand…no whakamā – no shame!
OR Post-it notes let you move the different bits to get the order right Doesn’t matter if they start in the middle You can both see where you are in the story Post-it time lines when explaining anything
“We really appreciate your input - we need your help in working with these young people – but knowing how long the meeting is going to take, I’m kind of wishing I’d never asked you to be involved!!!!” [Youth justice professional]
A SMART YOUTH HEALTH SYSTEM: New and Emerging ApproachesMark Stephensonm.stephenson@cls.org.nz
