This article discusses sociocultural considerations in dealing with culturally and linguistically different children referred for specific learning disabilities. In some instances, behaviors that educators may initially believe to indicate learning disabilities may be typical and normal for a specific cultural/linguistic background or a byproduct of the acculturative process, including second language acquisition. When a minority child is referred for suspected learning disabilities, the child's native culture and language, as well as stage of acculturation, must be considered. Knowledge of sociocultural considerations may help educators reduce unnecessary referrals and bias In making decisions about special education placement.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdlerP.S. (1975). The transitional experience: An alternative view of culture shock. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 15 (4), 13–23.
2.
BacaL.M., & CervantesH.T. (Eds.) (1984). The bilingual special education interface.St. Louis: Times Mirror/Mosby. Barnouw, V. (1973). Culture and personality. Homewood, IL: Dorsey.
3.
BorkowskiJ.G.PeckV.A.ReidM.K., & KurtzB.E. (1983). Impulsivity and strategy transfer: Metamemory as mediator. Child Development, 54, 459–473.
4.
CollierC. (1983). Acculturation and implications for culturally and linguistically different exceptional children. In BransfordJ.(Ed.), BUENO Center for Multicultural Education Monograph Series, 4 (1), 68–102. Boulder, University of Colorado.
5.
CollierC. (1985). A comparison of acculturation and education characteristics of referred and nonreferred culturally and linguistically different children.Ann Arbor, Ml: University Microfilms International.
6.
CollierC., & HooverJ.J. (1987). Cognitive style and learning strategies: Minority handicapped students.Tyler, TX: Hamilton Publications.
7.
CondusM.M.MarshallK.J., & MillerS.R. (1986). Effects of the keyword mnemonic strategy on vocabulary acquisition and maintenance by learning disabled children. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 19, 577–640.
8.
CumminsJ. (1981). The role of primary language development in promoting educational success for language minority students. InSchooling and language minority students: A theoretical framework (pp. 3–50). Los Angeles: California State University, EDAC.
9.
GreenleeM. (1981). Specifying the needs of a bilingual developmentally disabled population: Issues and case studies. Bilingual Education Papers Series, 4(No. 8).
10.
HallE. (1983). The dance of life.Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday.
11.
HaringN.G., & McCormickL. (1986). Exceptional children and youth.Columbus, OH: Merrill Publishing.
HooverJ.J., & CollierC. (1986). Classroom management through curricular adaptations: Educating minority handicapped students.Tyler, TX: Hamilton Publications.
15.
HymesD. (1970). Bilingual education: Linguistic vs. sociolinguistic bases. In AlatisJ.E. (Ed.), Bilingualism and language contact (pp.69–76). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.
16.
JufferK.A. (1983). Culture shock: A theoretical framework for understanding adaptation. In BransfordJ. (Ed.), BUENO Center for Multicultural Education Monograph Series, 4 (1), 136–149. Boulder: University of Colorado.
17.
KaschubeD.V. (1972). Dyslexia: A language disorder. Anthropological Linguistics, 14, 339–356.
18.
KurtzB.E., & BorkowskiJ.G. (1984). Children's metacognition: Exploring relations among knowledge, process, and motivational variables. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 37, 335–354.
MorrisD. (1985). Body watching.New York: Crown Publishers.
21.
NazarroJ.N. (Ed.). (1981). Culturally diverse exceptional children.Reston, VA: Council for Exceptional Children.
22.
PadillaA. (Ed.). (1980). Acculturation: Theory, models, and some new findings. American Association for the Advancement of Science Symposium Series #39.Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
PalincsarA.S., & BrownA.L. (1987). Enhancing instructional time through attention to metacognition. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 20, 66–75.
25.
RamirezM., & CastenadaA. (1974). Cultural democracy, bicognitive development, and education.New York: Academic Press.
26.
RuedaR., & MercerJ. (1985). A predictive analysis of decision-making practices with limited English proficient handicapped students. Paper presented at the Third Annual Symposium for Bilingual Special Education, Evaluation, and Research, University of Colorado and Council for Exceptional Children, Northglenn, CO.
27.
SerranoV.Z. (1982). Migrant handicapped children: A second look at their special education needs.Washington, DC: Education Commission of the States, Interstate Migrant Education Project.
28.
WellsC.G. (1981). Learning through interaction: The study of language development.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
29.
WhitingB.B., & WhitingJ.W.M. (1975). Children of six cultures: A psychological analysis.Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
30.
WoodwardM.M. (1981). Indiana experiences with LEP students, primarily with Indochinese refugee children. Report to the Indiana Department of Instruction. (Unpublished.)
31.
YsseldykeJ., & AlgozzineB. (1982). Critical issues in special and remedial education.Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
