The Implications of Ignoring the Cultural and Linguistic Needs of Children With Disabilities During Psychological Assessment: A Critical Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2312-3540/15710Keywords:
Disabilities, Psychological assessment, Standardised tests, linguistic diversity, cultural diversityAbstract
This study explored the implications of leaving out the cultural and linguistic perspectives of children with disabilities during psychological assessment. Psychological assessment plays a pivotal role in identifying the needs of children with disabilities. However, traditional assessment tools often fail to account for cultural and linguistic diversity, which can negatively impact diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of intervention. This article aimed to critically analyse the implications of ignoring the cultural and linguistic needs of children with disabilities during assessment through a comprehensive review of the literature. By examining existing literature, case studies, and expert opinions, the article aimed to promote awareness and understanding of the significance of cultural and linguistic considerations in psychological assessment, ultimately advocating for more inclusive and equitable practices.
References
Abedi, J., and P. Gandara. 2006. “Performance of English Language Learners as a Subgroup in Large-Scale Assessment: Interaction of Research and Policy.” Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice 25 (4): 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-3992.2006.00077.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-3992.2006.00077.x
Aguilar, D., and A. Rios. 2015. “The Cultural and Linguistic Diversity of People with Disabilities.” In Disability and Diversity: An Introduction, edited by J. E. S. Schechter, 105–120. Peter Lang Publishing.
Alvidrez, J., and R. S. Weinstein. 1999. “Early Teacher Perceptions and Later Students Academic Achievement.” Journal of Educational Psychology 91 (4): 731. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.91.4.731 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0663.91.4.731
Artiles A. J. E. B. Kozlesk, S. C. Trent, D. Osher, and A. Ortiz. 2010. “Justifying and Explaining Disappropotionality 1968–2008. A Critique of Underlying Views of Culture.” Exceptional Children 76 (3): 279–299. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291007600303 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291007600303
Bandura, A. 1986. Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall.
Brislin, R. W., W. J. Lonner, and R. M. Thorndike. 1973. Cross-Cultural Research Methods. Wiley.
Calderón, M. 2015. “The Importance of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Assessments for English Language Learners with Disabilities.” Teachers College Record 117 (12): 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811511701202 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811511701202
Cottrell, J. M., and C. L. Barret. 2017. “Psychometric Testing of English Learners. Variation Across Ethnic Groups.” Hispanic Journal of Behavioural Sciences 39 (2): 152–166. https://doi.org/190.177/0739986317700829
Dana, R. H. 2005. Multicultural Assessment: Principles, Applications and Examples. Larence Erbaum Associates.
Flanagan, K. S. 2013. “Possible Selves and College Students’ Attitudes and Aspirations for Work and Family.” Journal of Career Development 40 (3): 232–249.
Ford, D. Y. 2012. “Culturally Different Students in Special Education: Looking Backward to Move Forward.” Exceptional Children 78 (4): 391–405. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291207800401 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291207800401
Gay, G. 2017. Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice. Teachers College Press.
Gonzalez, V. 2005. “Culture is Key.” Cleaning House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas 79 (1): 15–17.
Hall, L. M. 2012. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Assessment: A Guide for Schools and Clinics. Routledge.
Hallett, V. 2014. Play-Based Assessment and Intervention for Young Children With Disabilities: A Practical Guide. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Hamers, J. H., and S. J. Pijl. 2013. “The Influence of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity on the Assessment of Young Children With Disabilities.” Journal of Early Childhood Special Education 33 (1): 31–43.
Horton, C. B., and D. Rush. 2015. “The Impact of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity on Assessment and Intervention.” In Assessment and Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities, edited by J. M. Kearns and M. E. S. VanDerHeyden, 37–50. Routledge.
Harris, B., J. A. Plucker, G. Stocking, K. E. Raapp, and R. Martinez. 2009. ICEA Position Paper on Multicultural Issues in the Education and Testing of Gifted Students. International Center For Educating All Students.
Harry, B. 1992. Cultural Diversity, Families, and the Special Education System: Communication and Empowerment. Teachers’ College Press.
Hyladyna,T., and S. Downing. 2004. “Construct-Irrelevant Variance in High Stakes Testing.” Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice 23 (1): 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-3992.2004.tb00149.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-3992.2004.tb00149.x
Kettler, R. J., C. McCarty, and J. Dwyer. 2016. Psychological Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide to Evaluating Children and Adolescents. Springer.
Klingner, J. K. 2006. “The Special Education Referral and Decision-Making Process for English Language Learners: Child Study Team Meetings and Placement Conferences.” Teachers College Record 108 (11): 2247–2281. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810610801109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810610801109
Klinger, J. K., A. J. Artiles, E. Kozleski, et al. 2005. “Addressing Dispropriate Represesntation of Culturally and Lingusitically Diverse Students in Special Education Through Culturally Responsive Educational Systems.” Education Policy Analysis Archives 13 (38). https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v13n38.2005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v13n38.2005
Kopriva, R. J., and S. M. Che. 2016. “Leveraging Accessible and Language-Appropriate Test Design and Delivery Approaches for English Learners with Disabilities.” In Ensuring Meaningful Access and Opportunity Through Accessible Assessments for English Learners, edited by M. K. Wolf, E. H. Faulkner-Bond, and D. Figueira. Springer International Publishing.
Koro-Ljungberg, M. 2016. “The Intersection of Language and Culture in Assessment Practices with Young Children.” Language and Linguistics Compass 10 (10): 125–137.
Korostenskaja, J. 2014. “Collaborative Assessment and Intervention with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Young Children and Their Families.” Journal of Early Childhood Special Education 34 (2): 107–121.
Lo, L. 2015. “Help Seeking Among English As A Second Language Students: An Examination of Second Langauge Ability, Self Perceptions of Competence and Race.” Journal of International Students 5(3).
Lopez, M. A., T. Garcia, L. Martinez, and J. M. Rivera. 2019. “Cultural and Linguistic Biases in a Standardised Psychological Testing: Implications for Diverse Populations.” Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 50 (4): 456–472
Lum, T. Y. 2012. “Assessment and Testing of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations.” In Assessment in Special Education: A Practical Guide for Teachers, edited by D. R. M. M. Chinn, S. A. R. K. Chinn, and S. R. West, 203–217. Wiley.
Ngo, B., and S. Lee. 2002. Best Practices in Interdisciplinary Assessment in English Language Learners. Best Practices in School Psychology. National Association of Psychologists.
Ortiz, A. A. 2018. “Best Practices in Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Youth.” In Best Practices, edited by B. A. Cassey and T. K. Mcallister, 79–108.
Rhodes, R. L., S. H. Ochoa, and S. O. Ortiz. 2005. Assessing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: A Practical Guide. Gildford Press.
Salisbury, C. 2016. Assessing Young Children from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators. Teachers College Press.
Skiba, R. J., A. Artiles, E. B. Kozleski, D. J. Losen, and E. G. Harry. 2016. “Risks and Concequencies of Oversimplifying Educational Inequalities : A Response to Morgan et al. (2015).” Educational Researcher 45 (3): 221–225. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X16644606 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X16644606
Sotelo-Dynega, M., S. O. Ortiz, D. P. Flanagan, and W. F. Chaplin. 2013. “English Language Prificiency and Test Performance: An Evaluation of Bilingual Stufdents with Woodock Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities.” Psychology in the Schools 50 (8): 781–797. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21706
Sullivan, A. L., and A. Bal. 2013. “Disproportionality in Special Education: Effects of Individual and School Variables on Disability Risk.” Exceptional Children 79 (4): 475–494. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291307900406 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001440291307900406
Suzuki, L., J. Ponterotto, and P. J. Meller, eds. 2008. Handbook of Multi-Cultural Assessment: Clinical, Psychological and Educational Applications. John Wiley and Sons.
Valdes, G., and R. A. Figueroa. 1994. Billingualism and Testing Case of Bias. Ablex Publishing.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Stanley Makuvaza

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.