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Before interpreting milestones, syntax, or expressive language patterns — learn what’s typical within the child’s home language and cultural context.
That’s the foundation of culturally humble and safe practice.
Why This Step Matters
Speech-language assessments often reflect our own cultural lens. When we overlook that, we risk misinterpreting difference as disorder.
Cultural humility helps us:
- avoid pathologizing culturally typical behaviors;
- show respect and curiosity;
- tailor questions and expectations to each family.
What to Research Before Assessment
- Home language structure:
- phonological patterns, syntax, pronoun use, question forms.
- Cultural norms around:
- parent–child interaction, silence, eye contact;
- storytelling, literacy, elders’ roles;
- beliefs about disability or delay.
Understanding these patterns helps us interpret language behaviors accurately.
Where to Find Reliable Information
- 🌐 Charles Sturt University – Multilingual Speech Research Centre
- 🌐 ASHA – Multicultural Phonological Development Index
- 🌐 MultiCSD – Multilingual Topics in CSD
Tool in Practice: The Family Values and Activities Interview (Peredo, 2016)
This ethnolinguistic interview is an open, family-led conversation.
It helps clinicians explore family routines, values, and caregiving networks before designing goals.
It builds trust, clarifies priorities, and promotes cultural safety.
The clinician’s role is to listen first, reformulate thoughtfully, and let parents decide what matters most.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1 – Cree-English family: caregiver avoids eye contact → in many Indigenous contexts, respect is shown through silence and indirect gaze.
Scenario 2 – Somali father: doesn’t recall early words → memory isn’t the focus; understanding and belonging are.
Scenario 3 – Collectivist caregiver: watches silently during play → participation can mean presence, not direction.
Each scenario reminds us: curiosity over correction.
Cultural Humility and Cultural Safety
- Cultural humility: a mindset of lifelong learning and self-reflection.
- Cultural safety: ensuring families feel respected and protected from judgment or harm.
In practice, that means:
- slowing down,
- listening to stories rather than rushing through questions,
- being comfortable with silence,
- viewing every family as the expert on their experience.
Conclusion
Ethnolinguistic interviewing shifts our focus from data to dialogue.
It invites empathy, curiosity, and equity into every assessment.
→ Learn more: Assessing Multilingual Children: Tools and Strategies for Inclusive Practice