Part of the problem or part of the solution? Communication assessments of Aboriginal children residing in remote communities using videoconferencing

Abstract

The current article describes the results, inter‐scorer reliability, and potential sources of bias in conducting speech‐language assessments with Aboriginal children in remote Ontario communities using videoconferencing. A main focus of this pilot study was to examine scoring bias, an issue that might arise with videoconferencing for any population but that could potentially interact with test and cultural bias to negatively affect the diagnosis of Aboriginal children. Assessments were administered by a remote‐site speech‐language pathologist (SLP), while an on‐site SLP served as an assistant. Responses were scored simultaneously by both SLPs and the results and their degree of correspondence were compared. Percentage agreement ranged from 96–100% for language tests and from 66–100% for the articulation measure. Results suggest that videoconferencing can be an effective complement to service provision when procedures are organized so as to minimize bias in test administration and in the interpretation of test performance.

• Videoconferencing
• Aboriginal children
• speech‐language assessments
• Canada

Notes

1. Aboriginal peoples include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. In the current document, reference will be made to specific groups depending on the context.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.