JCPSLP Vol 19 No 1 March 2017

Communication and connection: Valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives

From the guest editors Bronwyn Davidson and Chris Brebner

In this issue of JCPSLP we present a diverse range of papers that highlight different aspects of improving speech pathology services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Robyn Sandri and Judy Gould use a framework of cultural safety to highlight strategies and understandings to assist non-Indigenous speech pathologists to work effectively and ethically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Karen Brewer’s article focuses on practical considerations for speech pathologists working with Maori families with communication disorders in New Zealand. Tara Lewis and colleagues outline how yarning can be used as a culturally appropriate form of assessment of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s language and communication. Laura Graham and Nicole Byrne discuss the factors that support Aboriginal families to access and engage with speech pathology services, with a focus on ways in which services can become more culturally safe and appropriate. Beth Armstrong and colleagues’ paper discusses characteristics of Aboriginal English important for speech pathologists to consider when working with Aboriginal people who have aphasia. Gwendalyn Webb and Cori Williams present the findings of their research exploring the perceptions of educators and parents/carers about Aboriginal children’s communication and literacy. And last but not least, Anne Hill and colleagues present their experiences of developing student clinics in Indigenous contexts. As Guest Editors of this edition of JCPSLP, it has been our intent to advocate for both communication and connection as we, in speech pathology practice, seek to better understand, value and respect Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. We hope you, the readers of this journal, will join us on this journey. References Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health. (2014). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health curriculum framework . Canberra: Author. Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). (2015). Cultural responsiveness in action: An IAHA framework . Canberra: Author.

Good health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples require health professionals to be both clinically and culturally capable (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016) I t is timely that the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology (JCPSLP) provides this forum to report on, and in particular, yarn about a strengths-based approach to clinical practice and research that engages with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. At a time when our professional association, Speech Pathology Australia, is taking active steps to address inequities in services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities, it is exciting to publish this edition that includes papers and columns addressing contemporary issues. This edition of the JCPSLP represents a collaborative partnership. The editorial team has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speech pathologists, clinicians and academics in the preparation of this issue. In addition to all who assisted with reviewing articles we would like to sincerely thank our colleagues in Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), Tara Lewis, Jordana Stanford, Keona Wilson and Anna Leditschke, and also Shawana Andrews, Indigenous health lecturer at the University of Melbourne, for their involvement, advice and wisdom as we have planned for and prepared this edition of JCPSLP . Each article has undergone double-blind review by two independent reviewers. In each case at least one of the two reviewers has been an Indigenous academic or clinician. We are grateful to all reviewers who have given of their time and expertise in providing feedback to the authors of these papers. As stated in the IAHA 2015 publication, Cultural Responsiveness in Action: An IAHA Framework , working in a culturally responsive way is about strengths-based, action-oriented approaches to achieving cultural safety and improved health outcomes through partnerships with Indigenous individuals, families and communities. The papers in this edition provide the opportunity for us all to reflect on and also to act on ways in which we can become more culturally responsive and committed to achieving health and educational equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, adults and communities.

Bronwyn Davidson and Chris Brebner

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JCPSLP Volume 19, Number 1 2017

Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology