Mountain garden views: speech-language pathologists’ beliefs, practices and aspirations for culturally responsive practice with Pacific Islander children and families

The Pacific Islands encompasses a linguistically and culturally diverse geographical region. Most Pacific Island countries have few speech-language pathology services. In Pacific Islander diaspora communities around the world these children may seek support from speech-language pathologists (SLPs) where these children are among a cultural and/or linguistic minority. This study aimed to identify if children with Pacific Islander heritage are accessing speech-language pathology services in English-speaking countries, and to seek SLPs’ perspectives on the provision of culturally responsive speech-language pathology services for these children and their families. This mixed methods study collected quantitative and qualitative data via an online survey, answered by 57 SLPs and assistants in English-speaking countries (Australia, Aotearoa, Canada, United States, United Kingdom). Qualitative responses were analysed thematically using the Principles of Culturally Responsive Practice (Verdon et al., Citation2015). Almost half (47%) of participants had provided communication support for children with Pacific Islander heritage. Participants reported varying approaches to providing culturally responsive services for Pacific Islander children and families, including collaboration with families and cultural support workers and using dynamic and/or informal assessment practices, usually in English. Participants identified a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment and intervention resources to support these children and their families. Further development of culturally and linguistically appropriate communication assessment and intervention resources, in collaboration with Pacific Islander communities, is essential to support culturally responsive speech-language pathology services for children with Pacific Islander heritage.