The language and communication of deaf multilingual learners: Connecting research and practice. Assessment and intervention with deaf multilingual learners: Keynote Discussion Panel.

An increasing number of D/deaf and hard-of-hearing learners are growing up in environments were more than one spoken language is used, with or without the use of a signed language. Working with d/Deaf multilingual learners (DMLs), their families, and their teachers/clinicians challenges our traditional practices for working educating deaf learners. This presentation will consider working with DMLs from a number of perspectives. Firstly, current perspectives on multilingual language acquisition will be described and related to DMLs and the current evidence base describing the speech, language, and literacy outcomes of DMLs will be presented. Secondly, assessment practices that are appropriate for assessing and monitoring the speech and language development of DMLs will be discussed. Finally, evidence-based intervention appropriate for use with DMLs will be described.