Investigating Label Use by English Canadian Speech-Language Pathologists

Children with unexplained language problems have been assigned a variety of diagnostic terminology throughout history. This lack of consistency has created barriers for researchers and clinicians. In 2016 and 2017, Bishop et al. conducted the CATALISE studies, which reached a consensus for the use of the diagnostic label "developmental language disorder" to describe children with unexplained language problems. Only 8 of 59 experts included in the CATALISE study were Canadian and information regarding the use of diagnostic labels, like developmental language disorder, in a Canadian context is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine English Canadian labelling practice. In 2018, English Canadian speech-language pathologists (n = 370) completed a 24-question online survey addressing current use of diagnostic labels in practice, constraints on the use of labels, opinions on assessment purposes, and knowledge/use of the specific diagnostic label developmental language disorder. Label use among Canadian speech-language pathologists was found to be highly inconsistent. Several reasons for assigning/not assigning diagnostic labels were provided. Most participants reported being familiar with the label developmental language disorder, although fewer accurately selected the label's definition. Respondents suggested that the use of the label developmental language disorder would increase if other speech-language pathologists were also adopting this practice. Most participants agreed that having a consistent label for children with language disorders would provide better advocacy for children with developmental language disorder and that children with developmental language disorder would be better off if professionals consistently used the same label.