Meet Eliza Thompson, ed.S CCC-SLP an Associate Professor and Director of the Study Abroad Program at the University of Maryland.  She is a Ghanaian-American speech language pathologist who has initiated a Global Perspectives in Service-Learning Project. This program helps students better understand the nuances in cultural perspectives when servicing children and families from culturally diverse communities.  

Why is this important?

In the United States, 92% of speech language pathologists identified as white which means only 8% are from minority populations.  Based on estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, by 2044, the population is estimated to be a majority-minority country with non-hispanic whites representing 49.7 of the population.

As our demographics continue to grow and change, it is vital that clinicians have an understanding of differences in cultural nuances, linguistic diversity and the communities in which they reside.  With this knowledge, students will gain a deeper understanding of their clients when conducting assessments and  the need for culturally relevant materials during interventions.   

The impact of these experiences is significant for speech language pathologists, not just in service delivery but also in our efforts to reduce disproportionality in our schools. 

You can read more about Eliza’s story in the ASHA Leader.