The Hispanic/Latino population in South Carolina and in the United States in general has shown a significant increase in the past five years. The Hispanic Initiative at the USC Speech & Hearing Research Center was established to meet this growing need, being one of only a few programs in the state dedicated to this population. Research strongly supports the finding that children who exhibit deficits in language and literacy in their native language will have difficulty learning these skills in a second language. The purpose of the Hispanic Initiative is to identify monolingual and bilingual children who may be at-risk for language, speech, and learning delays or who already demonstrate delays in their primary and/or secondary languages. Evaluation and treatment is family-centered and dedicated to maintaining and developing the native language.

For more information, contact Gina Crosby-Quinatoa.