Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CLD)

Overview:

In speech-language pathology, cultural and linguistic diversity refers to clients who come from non-mainstream cultural backgrounds and/or speak languages or dialects other than the majority language. SLPs increasingly serve multilingual and multicultural clients, which has important clinical implications. They must distinguish language difference from disorder, adapt assessments to be culture-fair, and employ interventions that respect the client’s linguistic context. Embracing cultural and linguistic diversity means using culturally responsive practices and ensuring therapy goals align with the client’s norms.

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Sources:

Siva Priya Santhanam and Sabiha Parveen, “Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Clients: A Review of Changing Trends in SLPs’ Self‑Efficacy,” Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders 3, no. 3 (2018).

Sarah Verdon et al., “Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Speech-Language Pathology,” International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 18, no. 2 (2016).