Thoughts on ASHA’s Proposed Certification Standards Changes
It is difficult to talk about a topic in a social media sound-bite and we tend to favor a more boots-on-the-ground approach.
But I’m attempting to describe multiple thoughts both positive and critical as someone who:
Has undergone formal training in person-centered care outside of the speech-language pathology field
Has spent the last three years training SLPs in person-centered and culturally responsive practices
I have feedback about the proposed changes to the ASHA Certification Standards.
What’s Changing?
ASHA is proposing updates to:
What graduate students are required to learn
What practicing SLPs must complete for continuing education
The proposed revisions shift focus away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and toward person-centered care and professional interactions.
What I Support
I do support the addition of person-centered care.
This change aligns with long-standing research and practice in medicine, psychology, and social work. Our field has been behind, and it’s time we catch up. Person-centered care is an actual evidence-based framework.
Where I See a Problem
Removing explicit references to DEI is a mistake.
Without clear language, we risk losing the accountability and training needed to effectively serve diverse families. This is not about terminology - it’s about the real skills SLPs need to build relationships and provide meaningful, ethical care.
Nationwide, about 50% of young children come from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds.
In our city, that number is even higher.
Yet, only 8% of SLPs reflect that diversity.
We see the disconnect every day.
There are more than 70 languages spoken in our city alone—and countless dialects and cultural backgrounds. But I’ve found continuing education courses focused on maybe five of those languages, after years of searching.
SLPs need explicit tools and guidance to serve all clients equitably—not vague wording.
What Person-Centered Care Should Mean
Person-centered care isn’t just being “nice” or “professional.”
It should mean:
Respecting each person’s language and cultural background
Centering their goals and values, not ours
Honoring different communication modalities (AAC, sign, gestures, multilingualism, etc.)
Practicing ongoing humility and collaboration as service providers
Right now, there is no clear ASHA definition of person-centered care.
No dedicated Practice Portal section.
No inclusion in Evidence Maps.
We need structure, not just new terminology.
My Suggestions to ASHA
We are ready for person-centered care—but we’re not ready to remove DEI as a distinct focus. Here’s what I suggested in my feedback:
Clearly define person-centered care for SLPs, with a commitment to cultural and linguistic responsiveness
This should be within the CAA and CE wording
Providing a Practice Portal Topic
Creating a policy statement that explicitly includes DEI wording as part of PCC.
Remove the phrase “professional interactions” from the continue education requirement. It muddies the intent and waters down person-centered care.
Maintain a distinct focus on DEI and culturally responsive practice within continuing education, both independently and as an explicitly stated part of person-centered care.
Final Thoughts
I’m pleased about the addition of person-centered care. It’s a necessary evolution in our field. But we don’t yet have the infrastructure in place to support it well. That’s why I’m urging ASHA to commit to building that structure through policy statements, through training materials, and through the Practice Portal.
We still need specific and focused content on equity and diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Our field is deeply unbalanced, and we can’t address that with general language alone. We need opportunities to keep learning from voices and perspectives different from our own—because our clients deserve care that reflects who they are.
And here’s what I’ve learned from years of studying person- and family-centered care:
I don’t have to be a DEI expert to do this work well.
I do have to be aware of how many of our tools, assessments, and approaches are biased or limited.
I do have to continually confront my own biases and actively work to decenter myself in the therapeutic process.
I do have to know how to break down professional hierarchies.
It’s not my job to “empower” someone - that means you had all the power in the first place.
It’s my job to listen, serve, and collaborate, so that the person or family becomes the leader and change-maker in their own care.
That’s what effective, ethical, and truly person-centered care looks like.
And that’s what our professional standards should make possible.
You can read the proposed standards and submit your comments directly here:
Deadline to submit feedback: June 29, 2025
Whether you agree or disagree, this is a chance to make your perspective heard.
