Collaborating with Speech and Language Pathologists in APE

In this episode, Amanda Young from Cal State Long Beach leads a conversation with Lanita Yarborough, a bilingual speech-language pathologist and assistant professor at Texas Christian University, about the practical and ethical dimensions of collaboration between speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and APE specialists. The discussion emphasizes how intentional partnership, co-treatment, and classroom design can enhance outcomes for disabled children. Lanita frames her approach around cultural humility and bilingual ethics, describing how respect for families’ linguistic resources enable more effective communication and learning. She explains the advantages of embedding typically developing peers in classrooms as natural peer models, noting benefits that flow to both disabled children and their peers. Throughout the episode she shares concrete examples of co-treatment: thematic gym activities that align speech and motor goals, multimodal strategies using signs and prosody, and practical adaptations for itinerant clinicians who must create collaboration opportunities across sites. Finally, Lanita offers actionable guidance for practitioners and programs seeking to build or strengthen partnerships: reach out proactively to local SLPs, design shared thematic activities, plan in-person trainings or lecture sessions for students, and center DEI practices in program development. Her message is both practical and aspirational: collaboration across disciplines not only improves child outcomes but fosters reciprocal learning among professionals.