The Culture of Disability & Implications for Eating

This course introduces strategies to incorporate the disability affirming therapy and cultural considerations into swallow/feeding therapy.

Explore Course

As the sociopolitical culture of the United States embraces inclusivity, there is increased interest in anti-ableism and neurodiversity. Considering this field’s ableist history, speech language pathologists must intentionally marry considerations for racial/ethnic culture and disability culture into practice. This presentation introduces practical ways to incorporate culture into swallowing therapy.

The course will be available on demand by Aug. 8, 2025.

Presenters

Jackie Rodriguez
M.S., CCC-SLP
Jackie Rodriguez, M.S., CCC-SLP is a bilingual speech language pathologist based in Atlanta, Georgia. She has extensive experience working across the lifespan in a variety of settings. Jackie is passionate about dementia care, cultural & linguistic diversity and health literacy. She is the Director of Communications for the Bilingual Empowerment through Allied Mentorship (BEAM SLP) program. She is a recipient of the ASHA Distinguished Early Career Professional award.

Learning Objectives

Identify 5 cultural considerations to implement in swallowing therapy
Describe 5 disability culture related terms
Define and apply the concept of disability affirming therapy

Agenda

5 minutes	Introduction
10 minutes	Diversity & Underlying Issues to DEI Approaches
5 minutes	Introduction to Disability
15 minutes	Disability Community Specific Terminology
15 minutes	Neurodiversity Affirming Language
10 minutes	Bogart, K.R. Article Discussion
15 minutes	Redlining & It’s Impact on Access to Food
15 minutes	Racial/Ethnic/Religious Considerations for Diet

Disclosures

Financial Disclosures:	Jackie is the owner of Unlearn with Me Speech Services, LLC. Jackie is the owner of a teacherspayteachers.com store which sells products that are relevant to the topic of this presentation. Jackie is receiving compensation for this course.
Non-Financial Disclosures:	Jackie is the Director of Communications for the Bilingual Empowerment through Allied Mentorship Program, Incorporated. Jackie is the owner of the Instagram account Unlearnwithme.theslp.
Content Disclosures:	Jackie has no additional content information to disclose.

ASHA

This course is offered for .15 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area

The Culture of Disability & Implications for Eating: $29.00
As the U.S. embraces inclusivity, interest in anti-ableism and neurodiversity grows. Given the field’s ableist history, SLPs must intentionally integrate racial/ethnic and disability cultures into their practice. This presentation offers practical strategies to incorporate cultural considerations into swallowing therapy. To enhance learning, the course includes a supplementary resource with actionable tools, case examples, and reflection prompts for culturally responsive care. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Add-ons

Intersections of Neurodiversity, Child Development, and Learning Theory

$25.00

Fulfill your culturally responsive practice/DEI requirements for ASHA with this course! This course explores how neurodiversity can and should be a central component of practitioner training and clinical practice. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the nuances of neurodiversity to better support children, students, and clients. With implications for advocacy and equity, this session aligns with ASHA’s strategic goals to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion—and to ensure communication is accessible as a human right. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.