Collaboration with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: Ideal versus Reality

Abstract

This review identifies research-based definitions of ideal collaborative relationships between special education professionals and culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families of children with disabilities, examines research on actual collaboration with such families, and makes recommendations regarding improvement of such collaboration. The main sources of literature are research and opinion publications in peer-reviewed journals and books by leading scholars. The review concludes that barriers to the implementation of ideal practices include deficit views of CLD families, cross-cultural misunderstandings related to the meanings of disability, differential values in setting goals for individuals with disabilities, and culturally based differences in caregivers' views of their roles. Recommendations for change and improvement focus on personnel preparation and on implementing existing models of effective practice.