Future trends in language intervention: addressing cultural bias in service delivery

In this paper the cultural biases in a widely-used language intervention approach--the Hanen Early Language Parent Program--that trains parents to be conversational partners with their language-delayed children, are explored. In many respects this program represents the best of current clinical practice. It is empirically and theoretically grounded in recent research on parent-child interaction; studies have documented its efficacy; and it is a family-centred approach. And yet, in clinical practice, it does not work with all families. Not surprisingly, these families are often from nonmainstream backgrounds. Potential reasons for the lack of effectiveness with some families become apparent as research on patterns of language socialization in a wide variety of cultures is reviewed. This review reveals that all of the basic premises of this program rest on culturally relative beliefs and values. Specifically considered are cultural variation in (1) aspects of social organization related to interaction, (2) the value of talk, (3) how status is handled in interaction, (4) beliefs about intentionality, and (5) beliefs about teaching language to children. Suggestions for incorporating this information into clinical services with nonmainstream families are offered.