Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Olson, Janet

Second Advisor

Danai Kasambira Fannin

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders

Abstract

Early Intervention (EI) speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are mandated to provide culturally responsive services to culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) clients. However, little is known about Latine caregivers’ perspectives on receiving these services. The purpose of this study was to examine Latine caregivers’ perspectives on their child’s speech and language services by answering the following research questions: 1) How do intrinsic factors relate to Latine caregiver satisfaction with their family’s speech and language services? 2) Does perception of clinician cultural sensitivity relate to Latine caregiver satisfaction with speech and language services? 3) What do Latine caregivers perceive as determinants (facilitators and barriers) of culturally responsive speech and language services? This mixed-methods study aimed to understand the Early Intervention experiences of 16 Latine families by collecting quantitative and qualitative data through surveys and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and then combined using the correspondence analysis method.

There was no statistically significant relationship between Latine caregiver intrinsic factors (i.e., immigrant status, age, educational achievement, or language dominance) and overall satisfaction with speech and language services (i.e., satisfied/dissatisfied). However, there was a statistically significant association between caregivers’ ratings of SLP sensitivity to cultural beliefs and practices and caregiver’s level of satisfaction with speech and language services (i.e., 1-5 Likert-Type scale).

Interviews asking Latine caregivers about their perceptions of facilitators and barriers to culturally responsive speech and language services yielded three main themes: Bilingualism, Collaboration, and Unconscious Cultural Disregard. The significance of this study highlights how Latine caregivers can impact and add value to the provision of culturally responsive services to all CLD families. It is essential to recognize both the facilitating factors and barriers faced by Latine families to improve culturally responsive practices in various treatment settings. Latine caregivers reported that if they request Spanish, SLPs should use it, even if the caregiver also speaks English, and that they want monolingual SLPs to incorporate as much Spanish as possible. They also requested SLPs inform parents about EI resources, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, leverage Latine caregivers’ willingness to teach and learn by prioritizing regular communication (i.e., answering questions), gauge understanding and comfort with therapy activities, assume Latine caregivers want to participate, and involve other household members when possible. Finally, they reported they want SLPs to discuss treatment approaches and help them advocate for services. The clinical implications of this study’s findings may be used to influence the design, implementation, measurement, and evaluation of culturally responsive initiatives to maximize the overall treatment outcomes for Latine families.

Extent

178 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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