Helping Children with Speech and Language Disorders to Thrive

Team Prof. Dustin LAU Prof. CHAN Wing-shan Angel Prof. LEUNG Man-tak

Department of Language Science and Technology | Speech Therapy Unit | Research Centre for SHARP Vision

Research led by Speech Therapy Unit has pioneered a transformative approach to speech-language therapy for the linguistically diverse population of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, where most children with language and literacy disorders are Chinese-English bilingual or multilingual. The team has addressed long-standing gaps in locally relevant assessment tools, clinical resources, professional training, and public awareness of communication disorders and the role of speech therapists.

Building on decades of research in literacy, language development and acquired communication disorders, the team developed culturally and linguistically tailored assessment tools and evidence-based interventions. These help clinicians distinguish language disorders from typical multilingual development, improving diagnosis and treatment for children with speech and language difficulties. The tools and interventions are now widely adopted as clinical standards in the region.

Through partnerships with government departments, schools, and community organisations, the team has trained more than 1,100 therapists, and supported supervised clinical practice across the region through train-the-trainers model. Their research has professionalised service delivery, strengthened inclusive education, and benefited over 50,000 children and families by improving communication, learning, confidence, and social participation, while also creating opportunities for cross-border service development and knowledge transfer.

RAE 2020 Impact Case Study