Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status

Speech pathologists should routinely check Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in clients' health records and with the clients themselves.

Reference: N/A
NHMRC level of Evidence: GPP

Rationale:  People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background  cannot necessarily be identified on the basis of physical appearance.  It is important to be aware of a client’s ethnic/cultural background in order to provide culturally safe and appropriate services and to understand potential linguistic/pragmatic behaviours. Without knowledge of the client’s cultural background, particularly in terms of linguistic issues in the context of speech pathology (e.g. languages/dialects spoken), misdiagnoses are possible.