Affirming Disability: Strengths-Based Portraits of Culturally Diverse Families

Providing both a theoretical framework and practical strategies, this resource will help teachers, counselors, and related service providers develop understanding and empathy to improve outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with disabilities. The text features narrative portraits of six immigrant families and their children with disabilities, including their cultural histories and personal perspectives regarding assessment, diagnosis, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and other instances in which families engaged with the special education process. Using guiding questions for reflection and “Talk Back” comments from preservice students throughout the text, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own positionality and to develop nuanced and dynamic understandings of CLD children, youth, and families—countering persistent and stereotypical deficit views. Book Features: In-depth descriptions of immigrant family ecologies. Strategies for challenging a system that has been implicated in the overrepresentation of minorities in special education. Artwork, photographs, and other materials from students and families. “Talk Back” sections featuring personal reflections and feedback on the portrait narratives from preservice teachers. Questions to facilitate meaningful classroom discussions. A personal action plan framework to guide improvements in cultural competence and inclusive special education practices.

Table of Contents:
Contents (Tentative) Foreword Maria de Lourdes Serpa  Acknowledgments  1. Forging Connections in Family Engagement  Structure and Goals of the Book  Developing Cultural Humility to Foster Family Engagement  Theoretical Framework—Disability Studies in Education  Methodology—Strengths-Based Portraiture  Conclusion  References  2. “We Call Ourselves Chinese”: The Ou Family Portrait  Susan Ou and Janet Sauer Susan: “I’m a risk taker.”  Developing Cultural Understanding  Chinese Family Diversity  Chinese Immigration  School and Family Engagement: “Do some research.”  The Assessment and Diagnosis Process: “A kid is a whole person.”  The Children: Bruce and Ian  Conclusion  Reflection Questions  References  3. “A Girl Who Has Beauty Inside and Out”: A Portrait of a Vietnamese Mother and Daughter  Oanh Thi Thu Bui, with Zach Rossetti Immigrating to the United States  Cultural Context: Vietnam  Multiple Diagnoses, Multiple Meanings Across Cultures  Navigating the Special Education System  Learning to Advocate  The Power of Daily Communication Between Home and School  A Voice for My Daughter  Fighting for Appropriate Services  Engaging as a Cultural Broker  Differing Views of Tiny  Parental Roles and Ongoing Learning  Conclusion  Reflection Questions  References  4. “Ella Me Apoyó”: A Latina Mother´s Journey Through the Special Education System  Maureen Lothrop Magnan The Act of Cultural Brokering  The El Salvadorian–Mexican Restaurant  A Failure to Translate  Chaos on an IEP  The Power of Words  Negative Name Calling  “We demand that our children receive the special education services they need.”  Continuing to Learn, Fight, and Push Onward  María’s Youngest Son  Conclusion  My Own Interfering Experiences  Connecting through Motherhood  Reflection Questions  References  5. Mother Tongue: Sachin and His Indian American Family  Punita R. Arora, with Janet Sauer and Zach Rossetti Who Is Sachin?  Who Is Sachin’s Family?  Cultural Context  Who Is Punita?  The Family and the System  Change of School, Change of Services  Conclusion  Reflection Questions  References  6. Lessons of Abundance in an Iranian American Family  Kimiya Sohrab Maghzi Our Samin Banoo  The Lived Experience  The DisCrit Lens  Introducing Samin  Shirin’s Story  The Importance of Intentionality  Denial, Desperation, and Religion  Barriers to Home–School Collaboration  Team Parenting  Final Thoughts from Shirin  Conclusion  Reflection Questions  References  7. A Goat Among Lions: Unveiling the Challenges Faced by a Somali Refugee Mother of a Child with Autism  Sahra Bashir and Amy Gooden Attitudes Toward Disability in Somali Culture  Gacmo is dhaafaa gacalo ka timaaddaa: Love emerges when hands give something to each other.  Khayr wax kuuma dhimee shar u tog hay: In good times, be ready for bad times (because times always change).  Ri yar iyo libaax: I felt like a little goat among the lions.  War la qabo xiiso ma leh: What is known is not interesting.   Iskaashato ma kufto: If people support each other, they do not fall.  Reflection Questions  References  8. Knowledge to Action: Enacting Cultural Humility  Personal Action Plan for Change  Conclusion  References  Index  About the Authors