The South Asian Caucus of ASHA

A multicultural constituency group of ASHA

SACA Summer/Fall 2024 Newsletter

Balance Awareness Week (September 15-21)

Balance Awareness Week, established by the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), seeks to raise awareness about vestibular disorders and provide support to patients on their path to regaining balance. Although many balance disorders cannot be cured, quicker and more accurate diagnoses, combined with effective coping strategies, can significantly enhance quality of life.

Update your SACA membership

Dear Members of SACA:

As we continue to grow and strengthen our community, it’s essential to keep our membership details up to date. Accurate information helps us serve you better, ensuring you receive all the latest news, updates, and opportunities. The executive board is diligently working to introduce programs that will benefit our members, but we need your assistance to make this happen.

While SACA membership remains free of cost, an active membership base is vital for our success. Therefore, we kindly ask you to take a few moments to update your membership details HERE. Your participation is crucial in helping us build a vibrant and connected network.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication.

Clinician Corner

Best practice guidelines from Mr. Prabhu Eswaran, ASHA Certified School-based SLP in Los Angeles, California.

Interviewer:

What are the three key considerations you would recommend to your colleagues and the community for effectively engaging with South Asian parents of an autistic child?

Mr. Eswaran:

1. Cultural Sensitivity: Understand and respect the cultural norms, values, and beliefs of South Asian families. Recognize that attitudes towards disability and approaches to therapy may differ from Western perspectives.
2. Language Barriers: While you may not speak the family’s native language, it is essential to use simple and clear language during interactions. Utilize visual aids, gestures, and demonstrations to facilitate understanding.
3. Family-Centered Approach: Involve family members in therapy sessions and decision-making processes. South Asian families often value collective decision-making and may prefer a collaborative approach to therapy.

Parent Corner

Brief interview with Ms. Archana Natesan, parent of a child with ASD

1. Interviewer: Could you share your experiences with the services for your child as someone who hails from India?

Parent: Finding services and resources for my child through the Pediatrician was easier here in the USA. The Pediatrician provided the contacts for the agency, therapists (Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Occupational Therapists), and ABA therapy.

2. Interviewer: What do you miss about the community back in India to support child-rearing?

Parent: To be honest, I do not miss anything being back in India. When my child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, I returned to India and stayed there for six months. Despite the support from my parents and in-laws, most of the people (relatives, friends, and strangers) saw me and my child from a sympathetic perspective rather than from an empathetic one. It became overwhelming and stressful for me. People don’t view me or my child sympathetically in the USA, which is why I’m comfortable with this aspect.

3. Interviewer: What do you want the SLPs to focus on as clinicians in providing services to children with diverse backgrounds?

Parent: My experience with SLP services has been positive. I have nothing to add as long as the therapy services are provided with due diligence and my child benefits from them. Before my child’s ASD diagnosis, my child’s pediatrician thought there might be a language barrier since we (the parents) speak both languages (English and Tamil) at home, but this did not prove to be a problem when working with the SLPs.

Research Corner

Dr. Krupa M. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU), Chennai, India.

A Hanen-certified Speech-Language Pathologist (certified in “It Takes Two to Talk” and “More Than Words”), her research and clinical work primarily focus on language disorders in children, with a strong emphasis on empowering parents. She is also involved with Vasantham, an NGO and special school in Chennai. Dr. Krupa has presented her research at national and international conferences and published in reputed journals. Her recent work, which explores child-directed communication in children with autism spectrum disorder, reflects her specialized research interest in autism spectrum disorder.

Autism research in South-Asian context

In this edition, we spotlight the importance of understanding autism within the South Asian context. These articles illuminate the unique cultural influences on autism prevalence, family dynamics, and societal attitudes. They explore innovative interventions, technology’s role in detection, and the impact of family’s involvement in supporting child development. The growing body of research serves as a roadmap to navigating autism acceptance and understanding in South Asia.

Joint Engagement in Mother-Child Dyads of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children Among Asian Indian Tamil Speaking Families
Citation: Krupa, M., Boominathan, P., Swapna, S., & Venkat Raman, P. (2024). Joint Engagement in Mother-Child Dyads of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children Among Asian Indian Tamil Speaking Families. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54, 3436–3448.

Autism community priorities in diverse low-resource settings: A country-wide scoping exercise in India.
Citation: Dey, I., Chakrabarty, S., Nandi, R., Shekhar, R., Singhi, S., Nayar, S., … & Chakrabarti, B. (2024). Autism community priorities in diverse low-resource settings: A country-wide scoping exercise in India. Autism, 28(1), 187-198.

Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children in Southeast Asia from 2002 to 2022: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Citation: Shrestha, M., Basukala, S., Thapa, N., Shrestha, O., Basnet, M., Shrestha, K., … & Kunwor, B. (2024). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children in Southeast Asia from 2002 to 2022: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis. Health Science Reports, 7(4), e2005.

A short report on a preliminary interventional study to evaluate play-mediated interaction skills in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder from Sri Lanka
Citation: Wanniachchi, P. M., & Sumanasena, S. P. (2024). A short report on a preliminary interventional study to evaluate play-mediated interaction skills in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder from Sri Lanka. Autism, 28(1), 155-161.

Locked down-locked in: experiences of families of young children with autism spectrum disorders in Delhi, India
Citation: Kaur, A., Lall, G., Abhilashi, M., Naithani, L., Verma, M., Roy, R., … & Divan, G. (2024). Locked down-locked in: experiences of families of young children with autism spectrum disorders in Delhi, India. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1294538.

Transporting and implementing a caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism in Goa, India: evidence from the social ABCs
Citation: Brian, J. A., Dowds, E. M., Bernardi, K., Velho, A., Kantawalla, M., & de Souza, N. (2024). Transporting and implementing a caregiver-mediated intervention for toddlers with autism in Goa, India: evidence from the social ABCs. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 5.

Using mobile health technology to assess childhood autism in low-resource community settings in India: An innovation to address the detection gap
Citation: Dubey, I., Bishain, R., Dasgupta, J., Bhavnani, S., Belmonte, M. K., Gliga, T., … & Chakrabarti, B. (2023). Using mobile health technology to assess childhood autism in low-resource community settings in India: An innovation to address the detection gap. Autism, 13623613231182801.

The impact of parenting stress and cultural orientation on communication skills in minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorders: A comparative study in India and the US
Citation: Suswaram, S., Brady, N. C., & Boyd, B. (2024). The impact of parenting stress and cultural orientation on communication skills in minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorders: A comparative study in India and the US. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 112, 102337.

Congratulations on reaching new heights!

Congratulations to Drs. Monica Sampson and Radhika Aravamudhan on their recent achievements at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Sampson (pictured left) has taken on the role of Senior Director, Health Care Services in Speech-Language Pathology, while Dr. Aravamudhan (pictured right) has assumed the position of the Vice President for Academic Affairs in Audiology.

Launch of a new mentoring program

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Mentor-Mentee Program! This groundbreaking initiative fosters professional growth, provides invaluable guidance, and builds lasting connections within our community. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to give back or a budding speech-language pathologist or audiologist seeking mentorship, this program is for you!

Join us in this incredible journey of learning, sharing, and growing together. Let’s empower each other and elevate our careers to new heights!

Please click HERE to participate in this program.

Come celebrate Diwali with us

Save the date – Meet ‘n’ Greet 2024

Resources for Students

Scholarships

Other resources

SACA 101

What is SACA?

The South Asian Caucus of ASHA (SACA) stands as one of the Multicultural Constituency Groups (MCCGs), independent entities that collaborate closely yet operate autonomously from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). SACA was formed to provide a platform for interaction and cooperation among South Asian clinicians, researchers, and students in the communication sciences and disorders field. It also aims to advocate for high-quality speech-language-hearing services for South Asian individuals living in the USA.

What is SACA currently engaged in?

Recently, the SACA executive board has been dedicated to raising awareness about the cultural and linguistic variances within the South Asian community and their impact on clinical practices. Additionally, we are in the process of initiating a mentorship program for students and emerging professionals. Your support is crucial for us to better serve our community.

How can I get involved with SACA?

  • Become a member: Joining us as a member is the best way to get started, and membership is completely FREE. Click HERE to sign up. If you’ve been a member previously, please click HERE to renew your membership.
  • Volunteer with us: The executive board consists entirely of volunteers, and we are always in need of more volunteers to help support our activities. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email us at southasiancaucus.asha@gmail.com.
  • Donate to our cause: Additionally, we rely on donations and sponsorships to fulfill our core mission of meeting the professional, clinical, and educational needs of South Asians in the USA. If you wish to support our efforts, please follow this GIVING link to contribute.

Michael Guerin