Abstract

The objective of this research is to investigate and discuss how Mapuche health approaches the health conditions that Speech-Language Therapy classifies as communication disorders, from a theoretical-epistemological approach that contemplates the training of health agents, the diagnostic process, the intercultural mapuche health system relationships, and the treatment of voice, hearing, swallowing, language and cognition disorders. Through a grounded theory design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Mapuche health agents, including four machi, one lawentuchefe, and one peumantufe. As results, three categories of analysis are obtained: kizukutrán (related to the training process of the health agent), kutrán (related to pathologies, disorders, diagnosis and treatment) and health system (related to the differences and relationships between the system mapuche and non-mapuche health). Mapuche traditional practitioners use medicinal plants, rituals and their own therapeutic resources to address pathologies in the area of speech therapy, and they are used independently or together with official medical health. The differences and coincidences of the Mapuche health approach to pathologies in the area of speech therapy are discussed, as well as the challenges of the profession to carry out respectful and ethical intercultural therapeutic practices.