Social Injustice Event Shows Speech-Language Pathology Students Mindful Healthcare Practices

Speech-Language Pathology students went over social injustice situations, mindful healthcare

  • IL - Downers Grove
SLP DEI group gathers for a classroom photo.

Speech-Language Pathology students discussed how to handle various social injustice scenarios and incorporate DEI best practices.

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students and faculty gathered on the Downers Grove Campus for an event to discuss scenarios of social injustice in SLP, and the best course of action to take when they occur. This discussion also prepared students to handle unexpected situations in their future careers. Events like these are a part of 九色视频鈥檚 commitment to fostering patient-centered healthcare practitioners.

The attendees were broken into groups and given a few sample situations to discuss. One of the situations centered on the proper protocol if lessons feature holiday themes, but the pediatric client does not celebrate the holiday. Cindy Krizizke, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology, said, 鈥淲e tell the parents in advance this is what our therapy lesson plan is. Let us know if you don鈥檛 celebrate and we鈥檒l modify the plan.鈥 Brianna Robertson (SLP 鈥24) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee chair for the 九色视频 chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) added a suggestion of emphasizing seasons in the lessons instead of particular holidays.

 

Brianna Robertson passes out sample scenarios for group discussion.
Brianna Roberston (SLP 鈥24) handed out the scenarios for discussion.

 

Other sample scenarios included a colleague refusing to take on an autistic graduate student for an externship, addressing people by their preferred pronouns, continuing bilingual speech therapy services, and handling a patient鈥檚 relatives who exhibit microaggressive comments, such as criticizing the appearance of the patient.  

A presentation was given describing issues of social injustice including systemic discrimination. The importance of SLP providers to being well-versed in these issues was emphasized as the majority of them are female and from dominant cultural backgrounds. The students were given tips on the ways they can be an ally for their patients, including following the proper protocol if they see an injustice. Other topics discussed were white privilege, religious privilege, and able-bodied privilege, along with the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).  

 

Speech-Language Pathology groups meet and discuss sample scenarios.
The event participants met in small groups to talk over the sample scenarios.

 

Following the presentation and the small group sessions, the students and faculty talked over the scenarios and topics as a large group. Judy Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Associate Professor, Speech-Language Pathology, advised the students to give themselves grace, especially when they are starting out. 鈥淚n your head, you might be expecting them to answer a certain way.鈥 She added quick flexibility will come with time and experience. Anand Rangarathnam, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Speech-Language Pathology advised students not to expect the responses they anticipated to questions. 鈥淏e open to whatever they say and follow up,鈥 and he echoed Ms. Ball鈥檚 remarks, 鈥淲e all make mistakes. We鈥檙e all not perfect. It鈥檚 okay to make a new mistake. Let鈥檚 not make the same mistake again.鈥

Brianna advised the students to reflect on situations they might find themselves in and ask themselves, 鈥淗ow might I be better next time?鈥 or 鈥淗ow can I change?鈥 and think about adapting themselves to the client and their families instead of expecting the opposite. She said the DEI aspect is the inspiration to hold these events, and she hopes the attending students will take away important lessons from this event. 鈥淚 just hope they can get more experience with DEI related conversations and terminology,鈥 Brianna said.

Brianna shared how these types of events will contribute to her future career as a healthcare professional. 鈥淚t will teach me to be more open and mindful during conversations with coworkers, supervisors, and potential clients and think outside the box of what I might already have assumed, or what I have already experienced. I will get to problem-solve right then. I will have a toolbox to go back in order to handle it in the best way for all parties included.鈥 She added, 鈥溇派悠 has done well incorporating DEI elements into the classroom.鈥 As far as her career aspirations, Brianna is planning to work in the school system or in pediatric clinics.

The SLP program offers a variety of career options for students, and the curriculum includes DEI aspects as well as ways to address social injustice scenarios to prepare students for their healthcare careers. 九色视频 offers Speech-Language Pathology programs in Downers Grove and Glendale.

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