Issues in serving culturally diverse families of young children with disabilities

Abstract

Programs to assist families with young children with disabilities must demonstrate a clear commitment to providing services equally to all families who need them. Therefore, cultural awareness and sensitivity must be built into all phases and levels of these programs. This paper directs administrators to some of the cultural issues which may arise surrounding early intervention efforts for young children with disabilities and their families. It is hoped that the narrative will stimulate creative thinking and dialogue about how best to serve families with young children with disabilities in culturally relevant and, thus, appropriate and effective ways.

Successful Friendships of Hispanic Children and Youth With Disabilities: An Exploratory Study

“…A key Hispanic value is familism, which emphasizes the interdependence of extended families (Anderson, 1989;Zuniga, 1998). Familism results in a network of support, sense of belonging, and emotional security that comes from the extended family.…”

Hispanic Youth/Young Adults with Disabilities: Parents' Visions for the Future

“…Krueger (1994) emphasizes exercising caution when focus group participants represent diverse categories of people such as culturally and linguistically diverse groups, which comprise many subgroups. Although many Hispanic families are linked by cultural values that transcend subgroup differences, it is important to recognize that cultural attributes are tendencies rather than absolutes and are not rigidly fixed to any one individual or family (Anderson, 1989). In addition, Hispanics are a heterogeneous population, living in all areas of the United States and representing different levels of acculturation.…”

Comparison of the Revised and Original Versions of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development

“…This cultural differences may also contribute to variations in performance on measures such as the Bayley Scales. Culturally sensitive assessment involves consideration of the culture and region within which children live, as well as the goals the culture has for its children (Anderson, 1989). Practitioners using measures such as the Bayley Scales need to develop this cultural sensitivity and incorporate it into their work with young children and families.…”

“…Differences in conceptualizations of health and disabilities are also found across cultures (Anderson, 1989). Hispanic and Native American cultures tend to associate health with religion, while many Asians believe that health problems and disabilities result from sins committed by relatives.…”