What is it about?

Provision of culturally competent services requires understanding the unique and complex set of cultural and linguistic variables that each client brings to the interaction and responding with sensitivity and adaptability to these variables. This study used a narrative analysis approach to extract themes from three speech-language pathology and audiology professionals with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who were interviewed to promote cultural proficiency through shared experiences. Insights from these professionals highlighted that cultural proficiency for speech-language pathologists and audiologists requires sensitivity, adaptability, continuous development and expansion of self-knowledge, and collaborative exchange.

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Why is it important?

This work provides an accessible way for clinicians to learn from others who have enhanced their effectiveness in serving clients with racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. This study provides an initial step toward defining therapeutic traits that may be vital for cultural and linguistic competency, so that our field can improve its methods for maximizing cultural sensitivity in service delivery.

Perspectives

Conducting this study provided a great way for myself and my co-authors to learn about the diverse and complex career trajectories of speech-language pathology and audiology professionals that led to their rich cultural and linguistic expertise. Writing this article also cultivated impactful collaborative exchange among members of the ASHA 2018 Multicultural Issues Board.

Soren Lowell
Syracuse University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Pathways to Cultural Competence: Diversity Backgrounds and Their Influence on Career Path and Clinical Care, Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, January 2018, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/persp3.sig14.30.
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