Speaker 1: Hello, everyone, and welcome back. I'm Dr. Ivor Weiner, Professor of Special Education and the Director of the Family Focus Resource Center. With me for the final video in our three-part series is Dr. Wendy Ashley, Professor of Social Work. In the last two videos, we examined cultural competency, cultural humility, and our own bias. In this video, we'll cover strategies that help us become more culturally competent. One of the most important factors in being culturally competent is effective communication. How we communicate with others forms the basis of the interaction and the relationship moving forward.

Speaker 2: And effective communication has many nuances, including how we communicate, what we communicate, the languages we use to communicate, and how we consider the communication styles of others. There are many communication barriers to be aware of, such as access to translation for those whose first language is not English, the communication needs of those who identify as deaf or those who experience blindness. As effective providers, it is non-negotiable for us not to have interpreters, written materials, tools, and resources to communicate with individuals who speak another language, who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision. Sometimes families will identify someone in the household who speaks English as a translator. We encourage you not to do that. As easy as it is, it doesn't respect the family by asking one of their members to work in service of our needs. Keep in mind also that a lot can be lost in translation, especially in the delivery of interventions and mental health services.

Speaker 1: It's also important to use inclusive language. Be sure to use language that reflects what people call themselves, including names, gender, and pronouns. Speak in a way that puts the person first. For example, sometimes it's more appropriate to say a child with autism versus an autistic child. However, be mindful that there is a growing body of individuals who do not agree with people first language and strongly identify and are proud to be called autistic. Always ask. Don't assume. As a parent of a child with autism, when people refer to my child as an autistic child, it just touches a nerve. However, my daughter prefers people to call her autistic. This also applies to transgender consumers. For instance, I ask my students in my class as their pronouns or how they wish to be referred to as. He versus she, him versus her, they, etc.

Speaker 2: Use language that doesn't assume a certain level of education, financial means, heteronormativity, or a sort of vocation. Examples include assumptions that couples are male-female, or that women are child care providers in the home, or that consumers and families understand the nuances of diagnostic categories.

Speaker 1: One of the ways we often professionally exclude people is through the use of jargon. This field has a ton of jargon, and using it assumes everyone starts the conversation where we are, which is inaccurate and problematic. Also, avoid using imagery or spiritual language, as you might not know what your audience's spiritual or religious beliefs might be. Also stay away from terms that carry a coded or derogatory meaning. These examples include ethnic, urban, inappropriate, thug, sketchy.

Speaker 2: Let your goal be to become more methodical about how you come to a conclusion about someone. Get to know them. Look at the facts and don't rely on generalizations or stereotypes. We want to respect others, and to do that, we must be willing to ask people who they are and take the time to get to know them.

Speaker 1: We want to follow a consumer-centered model by aligning with the consumer to build trust and credibility. Help empower the consumer to utilize resources, but be sure to maintain a professional relationship setting appropriate boundaries. You do this by challenging your own bias, perception, stereotypes, through self-assessment and reflection. Meeting the family where they're at. Asking questions to learn about the consumer's culture, beliefs, and values. Asking questions to clarify your own understanding of the consumer you're interacting with. For instance, you ask the consumer how they wish to be referred to. Listen with the intention to understand, and communicate using effective communication skills. Entering the relationship not as a professional versus a consumer, but as partners working collaboratively together.

Speaker 2: The consumer might look to you for a type of support beyond your realm or scope of professional practice. A consumer or family member might view you as someone who can solve all of their problems. The best way to manage this is to set boundaries, which has the added benefit of helping you avoid burnout. We all want to help others, which is why we chose service provision. It is easy to get caught up in working so hard to get consumers to engage that we are willing to do anything to help, resulting in us doing more things for consumers as opposed to exploring what the needs are, where the consumers get stuck, and how we can support the consumer and their family.

Speaker 1: Let's summarize what we've talked about today. Address communication barriers prior to the meeting with the consumer, for instance, individuals who do not speak English or individuals who are deaf. Use inclusive language. Always ask the person how he or she wishes to be addressed. Be mindful of language that reflects certain level of education or financial means. Avoid jargon or slang. Challenge your first perception of others. Discover and practice the consumer-centered model. Be very precise in your communication skills.

Speaker 2: Lead with a people-first mindset. Avoid group generalization, stereotypes, and bias. Analyze self-evaluation and assessment of one's own attitudes and cultural identity to recognize and improve cross-cultural interaction skills. And implement effective communication skills to help consumers in a respectful, supportive, and professional manner.

Speaker 1: That wraps up our three-part series on cultural competency. We have discussed the concepts of cultural humility, dominant and subordinate groups, effective communication skills, and the need for awareness of our own attitudes and bias as well as those of others.

Speaker 2: Give these concepts the consideration they deserve, and more importantly, put them into practice. By doing so, you will be a more effective service provider in all that you do with and for your community. Thanks for watching.

Speaker 1: Thank you.

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