1. education
2. english as a second language

Demographic Profile of ASHA Members Providing Bilingual Services
December 2014
Introduction
State data on the number of bilingual speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists are
frequently requested from ASHA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs by individuals seeking information
related to grant funding for bilingual training programs and by those preparing recruitment initiatives.
In an effort to satisfy those requests, this report presents data from ASHA’s 2013 Member Counts on
bilingual service provision alongside data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2013 American Community
Survey (ACS) on the potential need for these services.
What is the ACS?
The ACS is part of the Decennial Census Program of the U.S. Census Bureau. The ACS is sent to a
small percentage of the U.S. population annually. The purpose of this survey is to refresh data
gathered via the Decennial Census, allowing for more current data throughout the decade.
What data from the ACS are used in this report?
This report includes three sets of 1-year estimates based on data from the ACS. The first set presents
the percentage of individuals in a given state who speak English less than “Very Well.” These data
are the closest estimates available to the number of individuals who would require services in a
language other than English. The second percentage represents those who speak a language other
than English as their primary language at home. Although it is likely that many of these individuals are
fluent English speakers, they may feel more comfortable discussing medical issues in their native
language. Finally, in Table 3 the non-English-at-home column is replaced by the percentage of
individuals who speak Spanish at home. All three data elements exclude children under the age of 5
from analysis.
Which members are considered bilingual service providers?
Although ASHA does not offer bilingual certification, on the 2012 dues notice ASHA provided
members with an opportunity to self-identify as being bilingual based on ASHA’s definition of bilingual
speech‐language pathologists and audiologists, which requires native or near-native proficiency in a
second language. See ASHA’s Practice Portal page on bilingual service delivery for more information.
On the 2012 dues notice, ASHA asked a series of questions about bilingual service provision, two of
which are critical to this analysis. Following a lengthy definition, respondents were asked “Do you
meet ASHA’s definition of a bilingual service provider?” and “In what languages are you qualified as a
bilingual service provider?” This question was followed by an extensive list of non-English languages.
Individuals used in this analysis include those who answered “Yes” to the first question and/or
provided a language in the second. Many more respondents indicated they were not qualified or
chose not to answer either question; these individuals were excluded from analysis.
In addition to including certified SLPs and audiologists, the columns marked “Total” in Tables 2 and 3
also include dually certified, in process, and noncertified constituents.
Data Snapshot: ASHA Bilingual Service Providers, Year‐End 2013
Counts
•
Overall. At year‐end 2013, ASHA represented 161,163 audiologists; speech‐language
pathologists (SLPs); speech, language, and hearing scientists; and audiology and speech‐
language pathology support personnel.
•
Bilingual Service Providers. Of the 161,163 individuals represented by ASHA, 7,214 (5%)
indicated they met the ASHA definition of bilingual service provider. Of these, 6,491 were
ASHA‐certified SLPs and 580 were ASHA-certified audiologists. The remainder included
members with dual certification, individuals who had started—but not yet completed—the
certification process, and noncertified members.
•
Spanish‐Language Service Providers. Of the 7,214 individuals who met the ASHA definition
of bilingual service provider, most (4,152 or 58%) were Spanish‐language service providers.
Of these, 3,923 were ASHA‐certified SLPs and 189 were ASHA‐certified audiologists. The
remainder included members with dual certification, individuals who had started—but not yet
completed—the certification process, and noncertified members.
Employment Characteristics
•
Employment Status. The majority (77%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were employed
full‐time; 18% were employed part‐time. The remainder were on leave of absence,
unemployed, or retired. Percentages were similar for the total ASHA membership and
affiliation.
•
Primary Work Setting. One half (49%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were employed in
educational settings, including 43% in schools and 6% in colleges and universities. An
additional 44% were employed in health care settings, including 25% in nonresidential health
care facilities, 12% in hospitals, and 7% in residential health care settings. Percentages were
similar for the total ASHA membership and affiliation.
•
Primary Work Role. The majority (73%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were clinical
service providers. Nearly one tenth (9%) held an administrative position, 6% were special
education teachers, 5% were college or university professors, 2% were consultants, and 1%
were researchers. Percentages were similar for the total ASHA membership and affiliation.
•
Private Practice. More than one quarter (31%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were
employed full- or part-time in private practice. In comparison, 20% of ASHA’s total membership
and affiliation were employed full- or part-time in private practice.
Demographics
•
Race. The majority (81%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were White. More than one
tenth (14%) were Asian, 3% were Black or African American, 2% were multiracial, 1% were
American Indian or Alaska Native, and fewer than 1% were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander. In comparison, 92% of ASHA’s total membership and affiliation were White, 3% were
Black or African American, 2% were Asian, 1% were multiracial, and fewer than 1% were
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
•
Ethnicity. More than one third (39%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were of Hispanic or
Latino descent, compared with 5% of ASHA’s total membership and affiliation.
•
Gender. The majority (92%) of ASHA bilingual service providers were female, compared with
95% of ASHA’s total membership and affiliation.
•
Age. The median age of ASHA bilingual service providers was 42 years, compared with 43
years for ASHA’s total membership and affiliation.
•
Location. The largest number of ASHA‐certified SLPs who lived in the United States and were
bilingual service providers lived in Texas (1,102), New York (1,021), California (881), and
Florida (637). Many of these were Spanish-language service providers: Texas (958), New York
(473), California (506), and Florida (494).
The largest number of ASHA‐certified audiologists who lived in the United States and were
bilingual service providers lived in California (78), New York (61), Texas (58), and Florida (41).
Many of these were Spanish-language service providers: California (33), New York (16), Texas
(34), and Florida (27).
2013 American Community Survey Data
•
Individuals Who Spoke English Less Than “Very Well.” The percentages of individuals
who indicated they spoke English less than “Very Well” were highest in California (19%);
Texas (14%); New York and Hawaii (13% each); and New Jersey, Nevada, and Florida (12%
each).
•
Individuals Who Spoke a Language Other Than English as Their Primary Language at
Home. The percentages of individuals who indicated they spoke a language other than English
as their principal language at home were highest in California (44%); New Mexico (36%);
Texas (35%); and New Jersey, Nevada, and New York (30% each).
•
Individuals Who Spoke Spanish at Home. The percentages of individuals who indicated
they spoke Spanish at home were highest in Texas, California, and New Mexico (29% each);
Nevada (21%); and Arizona and Florida (20% each).
TABLE 1: DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF ASHA CONSTITUENTS
WHO SELF-IDENTIFIED AS BILINGUAL SERVICE PROVIDERS:
JANUARY 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL n = 7,214
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
RACE
n = 6,911
n = 6,441
Source: Dues Notice 2011
Source: Dues Notice 2012
Employed Full-Time
76.5%
American Indian or Alaska Native
0.7%
Employed Part-Time
18.1%
Asian
13.8%
On Leave of Absence
1.1%
Black or African American
2.8%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Unemployed/Seeking Work
1.2%
0.2%
Unemployed/Not Seeking Work
2.1%
White
80.5%
Retired
1.0%
Multiracial
2.0%
PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT FACILITY
n = 6,582
Source: Dues Notice 2011
Educational Facility
49.3%
School
43.3%
Special School
2.5%
Preschool
7.7%
Elementary School
16.8%
Secondary School
2.3%
Several Schools
11.8%
Schools, Unspecified
2.2%
College/University
6.0%
Health Care Facility (HCF) 44.2%
Hospital Facility
12.1%
Residential HCF
7.0%
Skilled Nursing Facility
5.8%
Other Residential Facility
1.2%
Nonresidential HCF
25.1%
Home Health
7.3%
Private Physician’s Office
1.5%
SLP’s or AUD’s Office
4.3%
Speech & Hearing Center
3.1%
Other Nonresidential Facility
8.9%
All Other Facilities
6.4%
AGE
Source: Dues Notice 2014
34 and younger
35–44
45–54
55–64
65 and older
n = 6,644
21.6%
37.5%
22.7%
14.7%
3.5%
ETHNICITY
Source: Dues Notice 2012
Hispanic or Latino
Not Hispanic or Latino
n = 6,949
39.0%
61.0%
PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT FUNCTION
n = 6,601
Source: Dues Notice 2011
Clinical Service Provider
73.2%
Teacher
10.4%
Special Education Teacher
5.9%
College/University Professor
4.6%
Researcher
0.5%
Consultant
2.2%
Doctoral Candidate
0.5%
Administrator
9.3%
Administrator/Exec. Officer
2.5%
Chair/Dept. Head/Manager
3.0%
Supervisor of Clinical Activity
2.2%
Other Director/Supervisor
1.6%
Other Position
3.9%
PRIVATE PRACTICE
Source: Dues Notice 2011
Not Employed in Private Practice
Employed Full-Time
Employed Part-Time
n = 6,536
69.1%
13.6%
17.3%
GENDER
Source: Dues Notice 2009
Female
Male
n = 6,115
91.5%
8.5%
These counts include individuals who were ASHA members, nonmember certificate holders, international affiliates, or associates during the period and
whose dues/fees were paid. The percentages are for the number of respondents (n = respondents) to that question only; percentages may not total
100.0% due to rounding.
In addition to the dues notices of various years, members are also able to provide ASHA with their demographic information by contacting the Action
Center at 800-498-2071 or updating their data online at community.asha.org/myprofile.
For additional information about these figures, contact ASHA’s Surveys and Analysis Unit at [email protected] or 800-498-2071, ext. 8749, 8738, or 8739.
TABLE 2: ASHA BILINGUAL SERVICE PROVIDERS (BSP) AND AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY
(ACS) DATA ON ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND NON-ENGLISH HOUSEHOLDS
ASHA SLPs
State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Dist of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
U.S. Subtotal
Puerto Rico
Other U.S. Terr.
Other Countries
Total
# of BSP
20
6
145
17
881
107
79
13
27
637
92
14
11
284
43
8
14
12
29
10
109
166
59
54
5
25
6
8
26
10
267
129
1,021
111
1
60
14
56
111
19
33
1
32
1,102
36
10
99
84
2
59
4
6,168
81
3
239
6,491
ASHA Audiologists
% of BSP
1.2%
2.0%
6.5%
0.8%
8.2%
4.0%
3.9%
3.7%
9.5%
8.0%
2.4%
3.0%
1.7%
3.9%
1.7%
0.8%
0.9%
0.5%
1.3%
1.4%
3.5%
3.9%
1.5%
2.1%
0.4%
0.8%
1.7%
0.8%
4.2%
1.3%
5.3%
10.5%
7.3%
2.3%
0.2%
1.1%
0.7%
3.6%
1.8%
3.2%
1.6%
0.3%
1.3%
10.4%
3.4%
2.3%
2.9%
3.3%
0.2%
1.9%
1.3%
4.3%
40.5%
5.5%
14.2%
4.5%
# of BSP
2
1
10
3
78
11
12
4
1
41
6
4
5
15
8
1
2
1
2
0
21
12
15
5
3
6
2
1
3
4
22
2
61
10
0
16
4
3
15
1
2
0
7
58
15
0
18
12
3
2
0
530
9
0
41
580
% of BSP
0.9%
2.7%
3.7%
2.3%
9.8%
3.0%
6.0%
11.4%
4.0%
6.3%
1.9%
6.7%
8.3%
2.8%
2.9%
0.5%
1.4%
0.8%
0.9%
0.0%
6.5%
3.2%
3.4%
1.6%
2.2%
2.1%
12.5%
0.8%
5.2%
8.9%
6.2%
2.5%
7.0%
2.6%
0.0%
2.6%
2.7%
1.9%
2.9%
2.0%
1.5%
0.0%
1.9%
7.1%
9.1%
0.0%
5.0%
3.7%
2.8%
0.7%
0.0%
4.2%
60.0%
0.0%
22.3%
4.5%
ASHA Total
# of BSP
22
8
155
20
969
122
91
18
28
686
99
18
16
302
53
10
16
13
33
10
131
179
75
60
8
31
8
9
29
14
291
133
1,103
124
1
78
18
62
127
20
35
1
40
1,167
53
10
119
97
5
62
4
6,783
92
4
335
7,214
% of BSP
1.1%
2.3%
6.0%
0.9%
8.2%
3.9%
4.0%
4.6%
8.9%
7.8%
2.4%
3.3%
2.2%
3.8%
1.9%
0.8%
0.9%
0.5%
1.3%
1.3%
3.7%
3.8%
1.7%
2.0%
0.5%
0.9%
2.1%
0.8%
4.2%
1.7%
5.3%
10.0%
7.2%
2.4%
0.2%
1.3%
0.9%
3.6%
1.8%
3.1%
1.5%
0.2%
1.4%
10.0%
4.2%
2.1%
3.1%
3.3%
0.5%
1.8%
1.1%
4.3%
37.9%
5.7%
14.5%
4.5%
ACS Language Use
English <
Non-Eng
Very Well
@ Home
2.2%
4.8%
9.1%
3.1%
18.9%
6.2%
8.2%
4.5%
5.5%
11.5%
5.7%
13.1%
4.1%
9.2%
3.2%
3.1%
4.3%
2.0%
2.8%
1.5%
6.3%
8.9%
3.3%
4.2%
1.3%
2.1%
0.7%
4.7%
11.6%
2.5%
12.0%
9.8%
13.4%
4.8%
1.5%
2.4%
4.0%
5.9%
4.1%
7.7%
2.8%
1.9%
2.7%
14.0%
4.8%
1.3%
5.3%
7.5%
0.8%
3.2%
1.8%
8.5%
78.2%
No Data
No Data
No Data
5.1%
15.5%
26.8%
6.9%
43.8%
16.7%
21.5%
12.1%
17.9%
27.4%
13.6%
25.1%
10.9%
22.7%
8.2%
7.2%
10.9%
5.0%
8.3%
6.3%
17.0%
22.4%
9.0%
10.6%
3.7%
5.8%
3.7%
10.5%
30.3%
8.4%
30.4%
36.0%
30.1%
11.0%
5.3%
6.6%
9.8%
14.9%
10.6%
21.3%
6.9%
6.5%
6.5%
34.7%
14.1%
5.0%
14.9%
18.9%
2.3%
8.7%
6.3%
20.8%
94.1%
TABLE 3: ASHA SPANISH-LANGUAGE SERVICE PROVIDERS (SSP) AND
ACS DATA ON ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND SPANISH-LANGUAGE HOUSEHOLDS
ASHA SLPs
State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Dist of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
U.S. Subtotal
Puerto Rico
Other U.S. Terr.
Other Countries
Total
# of SSP
5
1
117
13
506
81
47
7
16
494
35
4
9
171
18
3
7
6
13
2
49
71
22
27
3
15
2
4
15
6
109
102
473
78
0
22
6
37
58
12
17
1
14
958
22
2
50
39
0
44
2
3,815
69
0
39
3,923
ASHA Audiologists
% of SSP
0.3%
0.3%
5.2%
0.6%
4.7%
3.0%
2.3%
2.0%
5.6%
6.2%
0.9%
0.8%
1.4%
2.4%
0.7%
0.3%
0.5%
0.3%
0.6%
0.3%
1.6%
1.7%
0.5%
1.0%
0.2%
0.5%
0.6%
0.4%
2.4%
0.8%
2.2%
8.3%
3.4%
1.6%
0.0%
0.4%
0.3%
2.4%
0.9%
2.0%
0.8%
0.3%
0.6%
9.0%
2.1%
0.5%
1.4%
1.5%
0.0%
1.4%
0.6%
2.7%
34.5%
0.0%
2.3%
2.7%
# of SSP
0
0
3
1
33
2
3
0
0
27
2
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
4
3
3
1
2
1
1
0
2
0
8
2
16
3
0
4
1
1
3
1
0
0
1
34
8
0
4
1
0
0
0
180
8
0
1
189
% of SSP
0.0%
0.0%
1.1%
0.8%
4.1%
0.5%
1.5%
0.0%
0.0%
4.2%
0.6%
1.7%
3.3%
0.2%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.4%
0.0%
1.2%
0.8%
0.7%
0.3%
1.5%
0.4%
6.3%
0.0%
3.4%
0.0%
2.3%
2.5%
1.8%
0.8%
0.0%
0.7%
0.7%
0.6%
0.6%
2.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.3%
4.1%
4.8%
0.0%
1.1%
0.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1.4%
53.3%
0.0%
0.5%
1.5%
ASHA Total
# of SSP
5
1
120
14
542
85
50
8
16
525
38
5
11
174
19
3
7
6
14
2
53
75
25
28
5
16
3
4
17
6
117
106
496
83
0
26
7
41
61
13
17
1
15
993
30
2
54
40
0
44
2
4,025
79
0
48
4,152
% of SSP
0.3%
0.3%
4.7%
0.6%
4.6%
2.7%
2.2%
2.1%
5.1%
6.0%
0.9%
0.9%
1.5%
2.2%
0.7%
0.2%
0.4%
0.3%
0.5%
0.3%
1.5%
1.6%
0.6%
1.0%
0.3%
0.4%
0.8%
0.3%
2.5%
0.7%
2.1%
7.9%
3.3%
1.6%
0.0%
0.4%
0.3%
2.4%
0.9%
2.0%
0.7%
0.2%
0.5%
8.5%
2.4%
0.4%
1.4%
1.4%
0.0%
1.3%
0.6%
2.5%
32.5%
0.0%
2.1%
2.6%
ACS Language Use
English <
Spanish @
Very Well
Home
2.2%
4.8%
9.1%
3.1%
18.9%
6.2%
8.2%
4.5%
5.5%
11.5%
5.7%
13.1%
4.1%
9.2%
3.2%
3.1%
4.3%
2.0%
2.8%
1.5%
6.3%
8.9%
3.3%
4.2%
1.3%
2.1%
0.7%
4.7%
11.6%
2.5%
12.0%
9.8%
13.4%
4.8%
1.5%
2.4%
4.0%
5.9%
4.1%
7.7%
2.8%
1.9%
2.7%
14.0%
4.8%
1.3%
5.3%
7.5%
0.8%
3.2%
1.8%
8.5%
78.2%
No Data
No Data
No Data
3.2%
3.0%
20.4%
5.0%
28.8%
11.7%
11.4%
6.3%
8.8%
20.4%
7.9%
1.9%
8.1%
13.1%
4.6%
3.7%
7.2%
2.6%
3.5%
0.9%
7.1%
8.5%
2.8%
3.8%
2.1%
2.5%
1.2%
7.0%
20.8%
2.3%
15.7%
28.7%
15.0%
7.5%
1.4%
2.2%
6.8%
8.8%
4.5%
11.7%
4.6%
2.1%
3.7%
29.4%
9.3%
0.8%
6.6%
8.3%
1.2%
4.6%
3.9%
13.0%
94.0%