Language Diversity Paper

When undergoing the professional training needed to practice as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), we pride ourselves in “achieving and maintaining the highest level of professional competence and performance (ASHA Code of Ethics, 2016).” Even with the many clinical hours needed as a graduate student and the additional hours needed as a clinical fellow (CF), there are some areas in the scope of practice of an SLP one might not gain experience in. When applying for our first jobs in our field, SLPs should feel comfortable with the potential clientele we will be working with.

The opportunity to observe the work overview of a Speech Pathologist, has tremendously solidified my interest in this field. At the Diana Rogovin Speech Center at Brooklyn College, I observed clients of various ages with different speech language disorders including articulation, language, voice, fluency and accent modification. Observing clinicians at the speech center gave me the opportunity to learn how important client-clinician interaction is for the session and how essential it is to build a good relationship with the client. Although I learned the

Harris (2010) investigated school-based speech-language pathologists’ perceptions regarding the supports and barriers experienced when assessing the language skills of k-12 students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Unlike teachers, speech-language pathologist lack information concerning the perceptions and correct practices of cultural competency. Therefore, speech-language pathologists could misdiagnose or provide inadequate services to cultural or linguistically diverse patients resulting from the lack of cultural competency. The author concluded recruiting more culturally and linguistically diverse speech-language pathologist offers the field a broader representation of the American population.

My intensive Speech Language Pathology coursework at California State University- Fresno has provided me with the skills to implement treatment plans, assist during speech and language assessments, and keep formal documentation of client’s progress in speech therapy. These are the necessary skills required to be an effective Speech Language Pathology Assistant and will make me as asset to have in the school speech setting.

Parker, R. I., Vannest, K. J., & Brown, L. (2009). The improvement rate difference for single-case research. Exceptional Children, 75(2), 135-150.

An issue frequently debated by the legislature concerns funding of various social/public programs which include speech-language pathology services. As a child who suffered from an auditory processing disorder, and a future licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I know all too well how important SLP services are for children. Currently, funding for social/public programs to include Speech-Language Pathology services in the United States is not adequate for children with learning disabilities and the legislature must act to remedy this.

Some of the duties of a speech pathologist are, but are not limited to, evaluate patients’ levels of speech, language, or swallowing difficulty, identify treatment options, teach patients how to make sounds and improve their voices, work with patients to develop and strengthen the muscles used to swallow, and counsel patients and families on how to cope with communication and swallowing disorders (Duties, www.bls.org, 2015). ‘If the speech-language pathologists work in medical facilities, they work with physicians and surgeons, social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare workers’ (Duties, www.bls.org, 2015).

How do people behave? What makes us act the way we do? There are as many different answers as there are people. Each person is a unique makeup of individual characteristics which blend together to form the personality, the behavior of the person. We can identify certain broad characteristics of groups of people and apply them to individuals to get an idea of how they will behave in a given situation. This is called stereotyping and, when taken too far, will give a distorted picture of what to expect of a persons behavior. While you can never get a fully accurate picture of how someone will behave based on their demographics and characteristics, you can make certain general guesses that will point

CSD 363 is a practicum course that gives students the opportunity to provide schools with free speech and hearing screenings. This class is mutually beneficial, seeing that students have an undergraduate opportunity to start practicing skills typically developed in graduate school, and that families receive valuable services for free. The screenings given are comprised of two parts: the Fluharty Speech and Language test, and an audiology pure tone screening including a look in the ears with an otoscope. Under the supervision of a licensed supervisor, students will be giving these screenings and making recommendations about further evaluations if necessary.

Interprofessional collaboration is an important component in any health care. According to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) Code of Ethics, Individuals shall uphold the dignity and autonomy of the professions, maintain collaborative and harmonious interprofessional and intraprofessional relationships, and accept the professions’ self-imposed standards (ASHA, 2016). With this in mind, it is our duty as future speech-language pathologist (SLPs) to adhere to this principle. Clinicians should utilize every resource available to assist his/her client. This even includes if the client needs a referral to a different specialist.

There are hundreds of career paths and options, which can be overwhelming and exciting. I have looked into many possibilities and wanted to talk to a speech pathologist about their career and responsibilities. Speech pathologists, also known as speech-language pathologists or speech therapists, help individuals with a multitude of disorders, associated with swallowing, speech, and language. They can work in schools, hospitals, specialty clinics, or through private practice. I chose to interview Sherri Anderson, a speech pathologist for Rock Creek Elementary School in the Beaverton School District in Oregon. Ms. Anderson originally got a degree in English, and worked for a bookstore for a decade before going back to school to become a speech

“Raise your hand on the side that you hear the sound. Now open your mouth and stick out your tongue for me. Close it and then make an ooo sound, like a ghost.” This is what a brief clip of a speech and language evaluation might sound like if someone were to be observing. But imagine that the test that was just observed was over and now the clinician must speak to the parents; however, they can only speak to one: the father, due to the strict Muslim culture that the family comes from. What should be done since typically the most important person to inform is the mom and speaking to her is not acceptable? (Cara). This is a dilemma that a Missouri State University- Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech and Language pathology graduate student recently encountered. One in which she was unprepared for because while Missouri State Communication Sciences and Disorders professors, teach students how to be aware of different cultures, they don’t necessarily teach students how to handle them as they come. This lack of cultural competency poses a problem and in turn hinders a speech-language pathologist’s ability to provide equal, appropriate and accessible services for groups affected by speech and language impediments. Therefore, speech-language pathologists must increase their cultural competence in different cultures and be better prepared to provide services for patients who may not be primarily English speakers or hail from a different cultural background that is not as

At the Los Angeles HRC celebration, Rhimes stated the fact that she really hates the word diversity. "It mean something … other. As though it is something uncommon, or uncommon. Being diverse! As though there is something abnormal about recounting stories including ladies and African Amercian individuals and LGBTQ characters on TV. I have an alternate word: normalizing. I'm normalizing TV. I am making TV resemble the world looks. Ladies, African American individuals, LGBTQ individuals, measure up to much more than 50 percent of the populace. Which implies that is isn't

Race ethnicity and gender: Thankfully, today’s classroom seeks to be a global learning environment that is open to students of all cultures. Today’s classroom is a materialization of the distinct emblem of welcome authenticated by the Statue of Liberty. Teachers want to be sensitive to the needs of those students who do not fit into the common American races of blacks or whites. While gender has traditionally involved the clear distinction between male and female, there is also a third group – a group that represents a type of hermaphrodism that is either the result of biology or learned behaviors, and is often identified through the voluntary display of a preferential dress and/or behavior style.Today’s teachers have to deal with this triangular gender existence. Again, the group that is often discriminated against and ill-treated by other students is the one that does not match the norm

Teaching is a very rewarding career if you learn and understand how to work with the diversity of the classrooms we teach in. As teachers, we need to be more vigilant of where are students come from. Before we can teach we need to know who we are teaching and what background, knowledge, and customs they bring with them to the classroom. We must also be aware of the factors that are relevant to the academic achievement of the students we currently teach. There are many of these factors, but I want to focus on two; teacher quality and low teacher expectations.