Assessment in Culturally Linguistically Diverse Populations

Study Notes

Assessment in CLD refers to the process of evaluating students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as those who are bilingual.
This form of assessment considers the unique needs and characteristics of CLD students.
One of the prominent groups is the expatriate community, which contributes to the cultural diversity of a country.

Clinical approaches that are appropriate for one may not be appropriate for another.
The individual's cultural and linguistic background may change over time and circumstance.
It is necessary to adjust clinical approaches to respond to demographic changes in a country.

When conducting assessments, SLPs must consider the client's level of acculturation and assimilation within the mainstream culture.
SLPs must determine how familiar and comfortable the individual is with testing procedures.
An appropriate evaluation may have to be completed over multiple sessions, and may require collaboration with an interpreter or adaptation of assessment formats.

Before evaluating a client, SLPs should:
- Know the culture of the client
- Know the history of the client
- Know the normal communicative patterns of the client's dominant language
This knowledge is necessary to ensure that assessment is appropriate and diagnosis is accurate.

Every culture has a set of pragmatic social rules that guide an individual's behaviors.
Knowing these rules allows clinicians to exchange information with clients and their families in a culturally sensitive manner.
Cultural groups hold differing views of:
- Disability and intervention
- A woman's role in society
- Class and status (power factor)
- Names and titles
- Case history intake and interview
- Assessment process
- Nonverbal communication
- Concepts of time and personal space
- Individualism vs collectivism
These differences can affect communication with CLD clients and their families.

Ethnography: a method of becoming more culturally knowledgeable by observing and interviewing members of a culture.
Interviewing members of the cultural community, observing them in naturalistic situations, and asking clients to share information about their culture.
Consulting with other professionals, reading literature, and using trained professional interpreters or cultural guides.

Gaining knowledge of cultural features enhances clinical service delivery and ensures clients and families are engaged.
It reduces cultural stereotyping and ensures communication is aligned with the values and beliefs of individuals.

Use open-ended questions, ask for specific examples, and restate what the client says in their exact words.
Avoid multiple questions, leading questions, and why questions.
Build rapport with the client and may need to meet them several times to gather information.
May need an interpreter to translate, especially if the client has limited English or Arabic proficiency.