Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations

Best Practice Statements

These statements have been developed by the NHMRC CCRE in Aphasia Rehabilitation in accordance with the most up to date research and expert opinion.

1. Health care providers should consider both cultural and linguistic factors of the person/family with aphasia that may have an impact on service delivery.
2. Where the speech pathologist is not proficient in a language of the person with aphasia, a trained and qualified interpreter, knowledgeable with the specific requirements for speech pathology, should be used.
3. Where a patient reports having used more than one language premorbidly, comprehensive information about the patient’s language history should be obtained.
4. Where possible, assessments should be used that are appropriate to the languages/dialects and cultural backgrounds of each client.
5. Where possible, treatment should be offered in all relevant languages and the relevant modalities.
6. Language behaviours unique to the bilingual person with aphasia such as translation, language mixing and switching should be considered in both assessment and intervention planning.
7. Speech pathologists should talk with the person with aphasia and their family about the roles the client has in the family and community.
8. Speech pathologists should explain terminology in a way that is relevant and culturally appropriate.