Above are four resources. The first resource is a link that will take you to a website that discusses how to become a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist. It talks about the qualifications, code-switching, and additional skills needed for the job. The next resource is a link that gives support to bilingual SLP clinicians. It goes over the support and needs of bilingual Speech-Language Pathologists. Continuing, the next resource is a link that will take you to Glassdoor.com. Once you click the link you will see a list of job offerings for Speech-Language Pathologists in Tampa, FL. You will be shocked to see that only about 15 are needed. That number is way too low considering how much of a problem this issue is. To add, some of the job offerings say that being bilingual “...isn’t a requirement” to get the job, which is very unfortunate. Lastly, there is a link to a YouTube video. The video is helpful and talks about becoming a bilingual SLP for those thinking about that career path.

Above are four different resources to further educate individuals on bilingualism and language barriers when it comes to Speech-Language-Pathology. The first resource is an article that goes over the benefits of being bilingual. Being bilingual can benefit an individual in many ways. For example, being bilingual not only makes it easier to find a job, but it can also help you make more than a coworker who is monolingual. The second resource is simple and just goes over bilingualism in more depth and gives more details on what it is and why everyone should consider learning a second language. Third, is a document that discusses language barriers. Language barriers are a topic that I feel doesn't get looked at enough in the United States of America. This is a big issue, especially when it comes to healthcare. It is one of the leading causes to the reduction in patient and medical provider satisfaction. The main reason for this was because of "inadequate interpreter staffing." The last resource is a video from YouTube. The video goes over more about language barriers in the healthcare setting and gives more insights on why this is such a big issue in the United States of America.

According to the last Census that was done of the United States of America, over 55 million people speak a language other than English at home. Of that 55 million, 35 million said that they speak Spanish as their first language. To be more specific, in Tampa, FL, 30% of the population is hispanic. With that, 13% of Tampa’s population speaks Spanish as their first language at home. For numbers such as these, the statistics for bilingual Speech-Language Pathologists in the United States of America is too low, let alone in Tampa, Florida. As of 2020, only 8% of Speech-Language Pathologists considered themselves to be bilingual and not many were even certified. This is a problem because it is making it very difficult for those in the hispanic community to get the proper care they deserve.

In Tampa, Florida when a patient is unable to receive a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist they are supposed to be given an interpreter to evaluate their primary language. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is responsible for setting forth this procedure. Although, there is little to know documentation of what happens at these sessions and if patients even find them beneficial. This is why there needs to be more bilingual Speech-Language Pathologists. Although interpreters are great, words can get lost in the mix of interpreting from the patient to the Speech-Language Pathologist. Selecting an interpreter can also be a struggle. Not only does the interpreter have to be proficient in both the primary language of the patient and Standard American English, they also need training which a lot of interpreters don’t have. Since interpreters can be hard to find, some patients try to find a family member or friend to perform the interpreter duties. Having family members or friends step in should be avoided for a few reasons. Sometimes family members try to change what is interpreted to “help” the patient, other times the interpreter feels uncomfortable interpreting what is said, and lastly, the patient can be embarrassed in the clinical setting with a family member or friend when evaluating their speech. This matter needs to be taken care of so the hispanics in Tampa, Fl and across the United States can get the help they need/deserve.

Sources

Peer-reviewed Sources

2021 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF ASHA members providing multilingual services. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.asha.org/siteassets/surveys/demographic-profile-bilingual-spanish-service-members.pdf

How to become a bilingual speech-language pathologist. Speech Pathology Degrees | Find an Online SLP Program | Ready to start your SLP career? Earn your degree in speech-language pathology by finding an online SLP master's program. Discover new career paths, licensing requirements & certifications. (2021, September 20). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org/2021/07/bilingual-speech-pathologist/#:~:text=A%20bilingual%20speech%20pathologist%20is,it%20relates%20to%20speech%20issues

Núñez, G., Buren, M., Diaz-Vazquez, L., Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services, & Bailey, T. (2020, December 9). Bilingual supports for clinicians: Where do we go from here? ASHA Wire. Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2021_LSHSS-20-00176

U.S. Census Bureau quickfacts: Tampa City, Florida. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/tampacityflorida

When to take your bilingual child to the speech pathologist. Speech Pathology Master's Programs. (2020, November 23). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://speechpathologymastersprograms.com/bilingual-resources/

Non peer-reviewed Sources

BBC. (n.d.). The amazing benefits of being bilingual. BBC Future. Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160811-the-amazing-benefits-of-being-bilingual

Bilingual speech language pathologist jobs in Tampa, FL. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/tampa-bilingual-speech-language-pathologist-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,5_IC1154429_KO6,43.htm

Focustherapy. (2018, December 7). Critical school shortage of Florida Pediatric speech-language therapists makes private therapy more pivotal. Focus Therapy. Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://focusflorida.com/speech-therapy/critical-school-shortage-of-florida-pediatric-speech-language-therapists-makes-private-therapy-more-pivotal/

Language barriers keep 25 million in U.S. from good health care. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-07/language-barriers-keep-25-million-in-us-from-good-health-care

says, M., & Says, J. (n.d.). What is bilingualism? The bilingual advantage. Retrieved May 1, 2022, from http://thebilingualadvantage.com/what-is-bilingualism-2/