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This course delves into the intricate ways religion and ethnicity intersect with the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology. Featuring a panel of four communication sciences and disorders (CSD) professionals, the engaging and thought-provoking dialogue explores how cultural and religious backgrounds influence client care, communication styles, and therapeutic outcomes. Through panelists’ real-life examples and candid reflections, you will gain insights into providing culturally responsive care and reflect on how your identity impacts your work as a CSD professional.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Identify how religion and ethnicity—and ethnoreligious identities—can impact the therapeutic process and client interactions in audiology and speech-language pathology
• Analyze real-life scenarios to recognize the challenges and benefits of incorporating cultural and religious considerations into client care
• Reflect on your cultural and religious identity and how these influence your professional practice and communication interactions
• Discuss strategies for creating a welcoming environment for people from diverse backgrounds

DEI Professional Development Requirement

This course counts toward the ASHA certification maintenance professional development requirement for DEI (which encompasses cultural competency; cultural humility; culturally responsive practice; and diversity, equity, and inclusion). See more courses that count toward this requirement or read more about professional development requirements for certification maintenance.

Presenter Information

Dr. Blessly Mathews, SLP-D, MEd-EDL, MA, CCC-SLP, is the Clinical Education Coordinator at Lehman College, City University of New York, within the Speech and Hearing Science Department. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Mathews brings comprehensive expertise to her role, overseeing clinical training and education for future speech-language pathologists. Her recent work centers on both client-centered and clinician-centered care, addressing critical topics like burnout among speech-language pathologists. Through recent presentations, Dr. Mathews has advocated for sustainable practices within the profession, supporting a balance that benefits clinicians and clients. Her presentations underscore the importance of self-care, resilience, and the cultivation of a supportive work environment to mitigate burnout risks. Dr. Mathews is committed to research on diversity and the importance of support systems for people of color in higher education. Her work fosters meaningful discussions on fostering inclusivity and advancing diversity within the academic pipeline, particularly from the graduate level to doctoral faculty positions, to promote a more representative and supportive educational landscape.

Disclosures:

• Clinical Education Coordinator at Lehman College, City University of New York
• Member of NBASLH
• Past recipient of Minority Student Leadership Award
• NSSLHA Lehman Chapter Advisor
• Affiliate of ASHA SIGs 1, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, and 20
• Financial compensation from ASHA for participation in this panel discussion
  

Megan-Brette Hamilton, PhD, CCC-SLP, is the Chief Staff Officer for Multicultural Affairs at ASHA and has been an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist for 20 years. She earned her BA from Hampton University, MA from the University of Maryland, and PhD from the University of Illinois, with each degree focusing on communication sciences and disorders. Megan-Brette has published, presented, and trained on the topics of African American English, culturally responsive practices, and effective communication across a variety of settings and audiences. Previously, she worked as a qualitative researcher and academic professor at Auburn University, where she taught courses on child and adolescent language disorders, clinical problem-solving, and communication disorders in society. Prior to academia, she spent 10 years as a practicing clinician, working collaboratively with families and other professionals in New York City K-12 schools. Megan-Brette has hosted Brooklyn cable television shows, is the former host and producer of the Honeybee Connection podcast by MB, and owner of www.meganbrettehamilton.com.  

Disclosures:

• ASHA employee
• MedBridge royalties
• Strategies for Successful Classroom Communication
• ASHA member
• Researcher, author, presenter
• Honeybee Connection podcast
• Maintains www.meganbrettehamilton.com

Michelle Posner, MS, CCC-SLP, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist with 18 years of experience in the field, fluent in both English and Spanish. Throughout her career, Michelle has dedicated herself to promoting culturally responsive practices for bilingual clients. Since October 7, 2024, Michelle’s focus has been to provide representation and advocacy for Jewish CSD (communication sciences and disorders) professionals. As the founder and president of the Jewish Caucus, Michelle aims to empower CSD professionals with insights, resources, and actionable strategies that can be applied immediately to support more effective and culturally responsive care through the lens of religion and ethnicity.

Disclosures:

• Salaried Employee of the District of Columbia Public Schools
• Owner of Bilingual SLP LLC
• President of the Jewish Caucus
• Financial compensation from ASHA for participation in this panel discussion
  

Zac La Fratta, AuD, CCC-A, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. He provides clinical education and oversees diagnostic and intervention services for individuals from infancy to adulthood at the M.D. Steer Audiology Clinic, while also teaching a graduate-level pediatric audiology course. Dr. La Fratta previously served as an educational audiologist in Washington, DC, where he worked closely with patients and families in a traditionally marginalized community. He is also a member of the DEI committee at Purdue, the ASHA Committee of Ambassadors, and the board for ASHA’s Men’s Constituency Group. He is interested in the intersection of religion and ethnicity within audiological services.

Disclosures:

• Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University
• Affiliate of ASHA SIGs 9 and 11
• Position on the ASHA Committee of Ambassadors for Indiana
• Board member (secretary) of the ASHA Men's Constituency Caucus (MCC)
• Financial compensation from ASHA for participation in this panel discus