ASHA ASHA Multicultural and Diversity Considerations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When standardized tests are normed on a monolingual English-speaking population, what concern arises when using them with bilingual clients?
- The norms may not be representative, leading to potential misidentification of a disorder (Correct answer)
- The test will automatically overidentify language strengths in bilingual clients
- Bilingual clients always perform above the normative mean
- No concern exists because standardized tests are universally valid
Correct answer: The norms may not be representative, leading to potential misidentification of a disorder
Using monolingual norms with bilingual individuals can result in lower scores that reflect language difference or less exposure to one language, rather than a true disorder.
Question 2: Cultural humility in clinical practice, as promoted by ASHA, primarily involves:
- An ongoing process of self-reflection, learning, and openness to clients' cultural perspectives (Correct answer)
- Completing a one-time cultural competency training course
- Avoiding discussing culture so as not to offend clients
- Treating all clients identically regardless of cultural background
Correct answer: An ongoing process of self-reflection, learning, and openness to clients' cultural perspectives
Cultural humility is a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation, recognizing power imbalances, and genuinely valuing and incorporating clients' cultural beliefs and practices.
Question 3: Which of the following is a characteristic feature of typical bilingual language development that should NOT be misdiagnosed as a language disorder?
- Language mixing or code-switching between languages (Correct answer)
- Consistent errors in both languages on all language tasks
- Age-appropriate acquisition milestones in neither language
- Persistent difficulty with phonological processing in both languages
Correct answer: Language mixing or code-switching between languages
Code-mixing and code-switching are normal features of bilingual language development and should not be interpreted as signs of a language disorder.
Question 4: What role does an interpreter or multilingual speech-language pathologist play in ASHA-recommended service delivery for limited English proficient (LEP) clients?
- Facilitating accurate and culturally appropriate communication between the clinician and client (Correct answer)
- Replacing the primary SLP for all clinical decisions
- Translating only written materials, not live conversations
- Conducting independent evaluations without SLP supervision
Correct answer: Facilitating accurate and culturally appropriate communication between the clinician and client
ASHA endorses the use of trained interpreters and bilingual SLPs to ensure LEP clients receive culturally and linguistically appropriate evaluation and treatment.
Question 5: In culturally responsive practice, what does conducting a thorough case history with a client from a diverse background help the SLP understand?
- The client's language history, cultural norms, family values, and communication expectations (Correct answer)
- Only the client's medical diagnoses and medication list
- The referral source and billing information required for insurance
- Whether the client is eligible for IDEA Part B services
Correct answer: The client's language history, cultural norms, family values, and communication expectations
A comprehensive culturally responsive case history uncovers language exposure, literacy background, cultural communication norms, and family priorities that shape assessment and intervention.
Question 6: Which ASHA resource provides guidance specifically on working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations in clinical practice?
- ASHA's Practice Portal on Cultural Competence (Correct answer)
- ASHA's Preferred Practice Patterns for audiology
- ASHA's Guidelines for the Roles of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
- ASHA's CPT coding guidelines
Correct answer: ASHA's Practice Portal on Cultural Competence
ASHA's Practice Portal on Cultural Competence provides clinicians with resources, evidence maps, and guidance for delivering equitable services to diverse populations.
ASHA ASHA Multicultural and Diversity Considerations 2
When standardized tests are normed on a monolingual English-speaking population, what concern arises when using them with bilingual clients?