This collection for Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools (LSHSS) encourages research submissions that offer insights into children’s communication aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, United Nations, 1989), the United Nations’ most widely ratified human rights treaty.
The CRC was adopted in 1989 “Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance… Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,” (Preamble, CRC, United Nations, 1989).
The CRC is important for everyone, including children with speech, language, communication and swallowing needs, their families, communities, and those who work with them (e.g., speech-language pathologists, audiologists, educators, psychologists, health and medical professionals, lawyers).
Each of the 54 Articles of the CRC outlines children’s rights. “The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children.” (UNICEF, n.d.) The children’s version is available here: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version
LSHSS will uphold the CRC by publishing this Clinical Forum, acknowledging that communication is vital for promoting children’s rights and freedoms.
This Clinical Forum of LSHSS encourages papers that address at least one Article of the CRC its the relationship to children’s communication, particularly children with diverse communication abilities. Some papers could focus on communication rights that are mentioned in Articles 2, 12, 13, 29, 30 and 40 of the CRC (McLeod, 2018). The aim is for the Clinical Forum to cover most of the Articles in the CRC – so be creative.
Papers that include the perspectives of children are encouraged. Article 13 of the CRC states “The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.” (United Nations, 1989).
Papers are sought about children with diverse communication abilities from authors across the world in a variety of disciplines, including from people who live and work in Majority World countries (low and middle-income countries and small island states).
The following paper types will be considered: Research Article, Research Note, Review Article, Clinical Focus, Tutorial, and Viewpoint. Consistent with the mission of LSHSS, we seek to publish original, important, and innovative evidence-based studies based on quantitative, qualitative, clinical, or other methods. Papers should address at least one CRC and its relationship to children with diverse communication abilities. The abstract and keywords should include the Articles addressed. Within the text use the following format to identify the Article “Article 31 (CRC, United Nations, 1989)”.
Papers will be peer-reviewed and must be supported by (a) new evidence and/or (b) evidence-based literature. Papers can be broad ranging, describing the relevance of the CRC to this field, or provide an overview of work with a specific intervention, country or population. Prospective authors may contact the Editors at cvc@csu.edu.au if they have questions or would like to discuss potential submissions.
References
McLeod, S. (2018). Communication rights: Fundamental human rights for all. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2018.1428687
United Nations (1989). Convention on the rights of the child https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child
UNICEF (n.d.). The convention on the rights of the child: The children’s version https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version
Submission deadline: Manuscripts should be submitted by October 15, 2025 to be considered as part of this collection (early submissions are encouraged). All papers will be peer reviewed. A letter of intent to submit (sent to the Editor at smcleod@csu.edu.au as soon as possible or by August 15, 2025) would be useful for planning the review stage, but is not required for manuscript submission.
Submission Instructions: To submit to LSHSS, go to http://www.editorialmanager.com/LSHSS. Under the “Section/Category” section, you will be asked to indicate that this manuscript is a candidate for a special issue or forum by selecting “Children’s communication and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)” from the drop-down list provided.
