LD in non native English-speaking adults
From LiteracyTentWiki
Question: What resources exist to help diagnose Learning Disabilities in non native English speaking adults who have low levels of English and perhaps low levels of literacy in their native language?
Thank you for posting this question. Perhaps the more we discuss the need, the more we will understand and the more resources we will develop. This is an area I frequently hand off to others who have much more expertise than I, such as Robin Schwarz. There are some tests, which are acceptable tests that have been developed in other languages, such as the Woodcock-Johnson R-Spanish version and the WISC-IV for children. That said, there are many concerns, as all are probably aware, about using these and other tools. These concerns range from cultural test bias to issues of disability identification and labeling in various countries and cultures. Last year I had the opportunity to do a little research on the acceptance of the term disability in various countries. While I only scratched the surface, looking at the literature made me ask a number of questions which I will pose shortly. The literature I reviewed suggests we are perhaps too eager to place the disability clause where not wanted or accepted. I found it fascinating to realize that my professional want to help my students by testing them and providing them with information about a Learning Disability was flawed. At the risk of being disliked by my peers, what I came to understand is that the number of cultures and ethnicities not embracing the disability diagnostic process far outweighed those who do. It made me truly rethink how I respond to students and to others in my field who ask this question.
Without going off the deep end here, there are some basic questions I now ask before I start down the path of LD diagnosis. 1. What is the goal or purpose of the student? If it appears they are having extreme difficulty and a GED, entry to a postsecondary education facility or employment may be affected, then I strongly consider the LD Diagnosis path, only because we require people to submit documentation in order to receive accommodations. 2. What are the strengths of the student? Can I associate the strengths with learning style or multiple intelligences methods of instruction and see progress? 3. What are the limitations of the student? Where are these limitations coming from? Are they the result of lack of exposure to a learning system such as ours? Do they connect with similar weaknesses or limitations in the native arena? 4. Do I know how learning occurred in their native land, and if not what should I ask about; what do I want to know? These questions lead to a host of discussion points and follow-up questions which sometimes provide enough information for me to know what the next step might be.
If I need to refer for LD diagnosis and the student is in agreement, and I don’t know where to refer I look to these resources: 1. Bilingual school psychologists within school districts 2. The local affiliation of the Psychological Association 3. Universities that have programs in educational psychology and clinical or neuropsychology who frequently have students who are bilingual and are studying to serve diverse cultures.
When all else fails, I rely on my colleagues and community to assist me. Hope this helps.
Nancie Payne
Posted on August 6, 2006 by Nancie Payne to the Learning Disabilities Discussion List. Archived at
http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/learningdisabilities/2006/000569.html
To learn about a federal research process on the issues of LD and Spanish speaking people please see NIFL-ESL 2001: [NIFL-ESL:6114] Or Google Learning Disabilities and Spanish Speaking Populations, a beginning of a process. As a follow up see the report on the research process at the home page of the Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York.
Also, consult with your local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)Office to discuss what tools are used by them to determine the tools used there ... Of course the best people to consult with are at the VR of Puerto Rico ...
While I agree completely with the questions posed by Nancie ... there are other resources to be considered.
Glenn Young
May 3, 2007
