Most pediatric speech/language therapists have their own style of providing services and it may vary based on if they work with children individually in a private practice clinic, via individual or group teletherapy, school based therapy session, outpatient rehabilitation clinic, or even early intervention therapy. The approach to providing speech/language therapy also varies depending on the type of communication disorder and the age of the child or adolescent. Additionally, SLPs may adjust their therapy techniques based on if a child has co-occurring learning disability, intellectual disability, or autism. Children and adolescents are diverse learners and SLPs must therefore differentiate instruction to maximize the success of their clients. We all are committed to providing evidence based services to improve the functional skills of our clients and to assist them in attaining successful lives.
An important consideration that all pediatric speech language pathologists need to make is how they actually provide culturally responsive speech/language therapy. This is a part of our obligation as nationally certified ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) SLPs. Some SLPs may not be ASHA certified, but they are licensed in their state to provide speech/language therapy services. I also implore these therapists to implement services that reflect authentic multicultural considerations.
ASHA advocates for the need for cultural competence for it’s members/certified SLPs and audiologists. In fact, it is a part of the ASHA Code of Ethics, the Council for Academic Accreditation standards that is required to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), and the overall scope of practice for speech/language pathologists and audiologists. It is also a mission of ASHA’s Multicultural Issues Board and the Special Interest Division 14 (Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Population).
The majority of speech/language pathologists desire practical tips with understanding how to provide culturally responsive speech/language therapy. This is a significant part of rendering effective services and I will be presenting a one hour ASHA CEU course on this topic on Wednesday 12/2/2020. Click here to register for the LIVE course. I am collaborating with speech/language pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Rose Griffin from ABA Speech on this important topic.
ASHA states that “Cultural and linguistic competence is as important to the successful provision of services as are scientific, technical, and clinical knowledge, and skills.” Services rendered should be respectful and responsive to the needs of diverse clients.
In this course speech/language pathologists will increase their knowledge about culturally responsive therapy. Participants will learn about culture, cultural competence, cultural humility, & professional competence. You will learn about relevant research from the perspective of speech/language pathologists and relevant strategies to apply in a practical and meaningful way in your clinical practice in a variety of settings.
The idea of Cultural Responsive practices are also critical to effective teaching in both public and private schools. Gloria Ladson-Billings, renowned scholar and former Distinguished Professor of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed the term culturally relevant education based on her scholarly work with educators of African American students. Culturally relevant education not only addresses the need for higher student achievement, but also helps students to accept and affirm their cultural identity while developing critical perspective that challenges various inequities.
Dr. Gholnecsar “Gholdy” Muhammad, an associate professor at Georgia State University and Director of the Urban Literacy Collaborative and Clinic has researched extensively in the area of literacy, language, and culture. She states that “literacy was viewed as the means of building reading and writing skills and knowledge, as well as a means to shape their (African American) identities and critical understanding of themselves, of communities, and of the world.”
I will SEE you on the LIVE course on 12/2nd so that you can learn more information to enhance your professional competence as a speech/language pathologist so that you can deliver services to build the communication, language, literacy, and life skills of children and adolescents. REGISTER FOR THE COURSE HERE!
If you are not available to attend the LIVE course, you have the opportunity to register for the SELF STUDY. This means that you can take the course anytime during DECEMBER on your own schedule. You must complete the course by 12/31/20 to receive a certificate of completion. REGISTER FOR THE SELF-STUDY HERE! Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions.
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
