Research and Clinical Interactions with Asian Indians with Aphasia: A Primer for English-Speaking North American Clinicians and Researchers

Developing cultural competence in interacting with people with aphasia who represent varied racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds is an important goal for all aphasiologists in clinical and research contexts. Given that Asian Indians (a) are one of the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority groups to migrate to the United States and Canada and (b) have a higher incidence of stroke than most other immigrant populations as well as whites, North American clinical aphasiologists are likely, through the course of their careers, to interact with Asian Indians with aphasia. It is important that aphasiologists know at least basic aspects of culture and etiquette as well as means of addressing general cultural and linguistic differences when interacting with Asian Indians residing in the United States and Canada, especially first-generation immigrants and others who identify primarily with and have been raised in Asian Indian subcultures in English-speaking North America. To that end, this primer is offered as a means of introducing related key principles that will be helpful for North American aphasiologists. Additionally, resources to aid clinicians and researchers and information about aphasia tests in Indian languages are provided.