This May, I aimed to write BHSM posts on cultural sensitivity in SLP for almost every day of the month! Here is a compilation of all the articles I wrote this month!
BHSM Posts
BHSM Posts: Editorial
- Use Your Time Intentionally as a Post Grad:
We’re at the time of year of graduation! At the start, it is exciting and fulfilling. Therefore, it’s definitely an accomplishment to be proud of and celebrate for as long as you want! However, at some point, that high comes down and you face the reality of being an SLP post-grad. For instance, no longer being a student, an identity you’ve had since you were between 3-5. It’s hard to let that go and transition.
Today, I’m not going to dwell on that too much. In addition, I’m going to give you free resources that, as an SLP post-grad, can help you use your time intentionally. Alternatively, If you’re an undergrad, check out my post I wrote when I graduated with my Bachelor’s!
Cultural Sensitivity BHSM Posts
- Cultural Sensitivity and SLP: Learn what cultural sensitivity is. Additionally, see its relation to speech-language pathology. Finally, learn how to start or continue your cultural sensitivity journey.
- Identifying and Owning Internal Biases as an SLP: Firstly, identifying and owning biases as an SLP. Further, likely, many of us have
biases. In addition, there are many other types of biases that can relate to race or ethnicity. Lastly, This is important because our biases can cloud clinical judgement and decision making. By acknowledging them, we will be a culturally sensitive and professional SLP. We will make the most evidence based and appropriate clinical decisions. By understanding when biases may interfere in our work, we are more objective. We serve our patients even better than before. - Why TikTok Is The Place to Learn About Cultural Sensitivity:
TikTok’s aims to bring joy with short videos. As a result, Many users on TikTok are becoming creative and resourceful with their time. Certainly, they use one minute to educate users on cultural sensitivity issues. TikTok allows people to share their authentic experience about brushed over topics. As with all platforms, there are instances of racism, sexism, and discrimination. But I have learned a lot more on TikTok of the experiences of different identities than I did in public school. I share TikTok accounts that increase my cultural sensitivity as a healthcare professional.
Microaggressions in Healthcare: Microaggressions are comments or actions discriminatory to certain identities. If we are aware of these, we are more supportive. We practice actual respect for identities different than ours.
Self-Education
- Culturally Sensitive SLP Assessment Tools: We will all have diverse identities on our caseloads. Our assessment tools need to reflect that. The tools I share will be as non-biased as possible. They test non-english based skills.
Culturally Responsive International Work As an SLP: International work as an SLP? Sounds amazing, right? Well, it can be. It appears that we we are helping people receive services they can’t get otherwise. However, sometimes these trips abroad can be more harmful than hurtful. This post explains why not all international work is beneficial. It will also offer alternatives that are more culturally responsive.
- Culturally Responsive SLP Groups: One way to take action and be culturally sensitive is to join SLP groups. Not all these groups will be SLP groups. They include important topics that can help us be more culturally sensitive.
- Culturally Responsive SLP Curriculum: What does culturally sensitive SLP curriculum look like? Part of being culturally sensitive SLPs come from our educational foundations. This post includes SLP courses that can contribute to culturally sensitive SLPs.
- Views of Disability Across Cultures: Different cultures view disability in different ways. These are all more general views and do not reflect everyone in the culture.Holidays to Add To Your Speech Therapy Activities: In schools, there are missing holidays. Even if they aren’t in the curriculum, it doesn’t mean you can’t design speech therapy activities around them! This will help your students feel you respect their traditions. Here are a few holidays you can incorporate into your speech therapy activities.
Research
- Consuming Culturally Diverse Research:
One way we can increase our culturally sensitivity as SLPs is through culturally diverse research. Today, we can start with consuming research. Here are 5 places you can find and read culturally diverse research! If you have conducted research related to this topic, share the link in the comments below!
- Culturally Sensitive Research Practices: Yesterday, I discussed sources to consume diverse research. Many SLPs are also researchers. Today, I discuss culturally sensitive research practices.
Resources
- Best Free SLPs CEUs for Cultural Sensitivity:
For day 5 of Better Speech and Hearing Month, I am sharing ten free SLP CEUs . Please note the listings with an asterisk do not supply CEUs, but you may submit for CEU credit. For every one you sign up for, you get a free entry to win a product from my SLP Survival Shop. Post on your instagram story and tag @norah_speaks_slp! I am signing up for these over the next few months. I hope to see you all there! Additionally, in my last post, I shared free and low-cost SLP CEUs on cultural sensitivity.
- Cultural Differences: 10 Resources for Self-Education:
Cultural differences are present in clinical practice. As a result, we need to understand cultural differences. Most importantly, we can educate ourselves on what they are. We can communicate with our patients, on how that relates to therapy goals. This post includes 10 resources you can use to educate yourselves. You can set culturally sensitive goals for your patients and students.
- 10 Places to Learn About Deaf Culture:
- Here are resources about Deaf culture. It’s important to discuss what the name of this month leaves out. I have heard other names proposed. “Better Language and Communication” month is one that is more inclusive! Below are 10 resources you can go to to learn about Deaf culture. Resources emphasize different viewpoints from different countries and racial identities.
- How to Get Involved With The ASHA CEO Search:
ASHA CEO Arlene A. Pietranton announced she is retiring. Pietranton will continue as CEO while they search for her successor. The executive search firm Spencer Stuart, Washington, D.C. is in charge.. It is exciting that we will be getting a new CEO. They could have a strong impact on ASHA’s commitment to diversity. As paying ASHA members, we should be part of the decision making process. Here are some ways you can get involved today!
Therapy Resources
- Culturally Sensitive Services to Recommend to Patients: As healthcare professionals, we often recommend services or products to help patients recover. We need to recommend services that dedicate themselves to diversity, equity and inclusion. Here are some of those culturally sensitive services you can recommend.
- TpT Sites with Inclusive Products: Here are inclusive TpT sites for your therapy use.
- Healthcare Diversity Book List: Here are books related to healthcare diversity. They can lead to more equitable care. Diverse SLP Bloggers:
Today I am going to share SLP blogs created by SLPs of diverse identities! What are some diverse SLPs you follow?
Legislation and Ethics
- ASHA Code of Ethics and Cultural Competence: The ASHA Code of Ethics and its information covers ethics and cultural competence. First, the post discusses the most relevant principles and rules from the ASHA Code of Ethics. Then, it talks about ethics issues related to cultural and linguistic competence.
- Federal Legislation and Cultural Competence: Some federal legislation connects to cultural competence. Yesterday, I discussed the ASHA Code of Ethics and Cultural Competence. This article is a broader extension of that topic.
- State Legislation and Cultural Competence: State legislation connects to cultural competence. Yesterday, I discussed federal legislation that connects to cultural competence. Today’s article is a broader extension of that topic. Please note that not all laws were passed. However, I view them as good examples of equitable state legislation in healthcare. That is why I am sharing them today!
- Dysphagia and Cultural Sensitivity: I discussed the ASHA Code of Ethics. Today, I am going to look at the Code of Ethics in the view of dysphagia assessment and treatment.
Gender Identity
- 5 Ways to Normalize Pronoun Use in Healthcare: We have patients who do not use assigned pronouns. Now more people are learning about what different pronouns mean. It is time to normalize pronoun use in health with all the people we work with and serve.
How To Use Gender Pronouns Appropriately: Why are gender pronouns important? How do we use them correctly? You’ll learn ways you can learn to use gender pronouns correctly.
- Gender Pronouns Across Cultures and Languages:
Languages have different constructions for gender.
In English, oftentimes the male form of a word, like “Mankind”, to describe the whole group of people. Some vocabulary has evolved to be more gender neutral, like mailperson and waiter.I wanted to dive deeper and see how gender is constructed across different languages, especially with their pronouns, and how that might influence culture (or vice versa!). Here are some examples of different constructions in different languages.
Thanks for everyone for following along with my BHSM posts. It was so much fun, and I hope you learned as much as I did. If you want more cultural sensitivity content, subscribe to my newsletter below!
