School-based speech-language pathologists in educational environments work with an increasingly diverse student population, including those that identify as 2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+). Normalizing diverse families, gender identities, and sexualities is the first step to clinicians feeling empowered to align with students and families, challenge exclusive practices and advocate for systemic change. Following a review on gender & sexuality-based identities and the intersection of gender/sexuality and disability, strategies for diversifying clinical materials, concrete steps for allyship, and ideas for advocacy at the school, district, state, and national level will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Define current relevant terms that promote inclusion.
Identify three changes to make to create a more inclusive classroom or clinical environment.
Describe three ways to demonstrate allyship to LGBTQIA+ students and families.
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