Cultural Competence Web Lecture

Cross-Cultural Competence : 

Cross-Cultural Competence Families of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Hollie Gabler Filce, Ph.D. *You may need to press the space bar to begin this lecture and to advance from slide to slide.

An old Chinese proverb says... : 

An old Chinese proverb says... "You get sick by what you put in your mouth, but you can be hurt by what comes out of your mouth."

What is Cultural Competence? : 

What is Cultural Competence? “the ability to think, feel, and act in ways that acknowledge, respect, and build upon ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity” --Lynch & Hanson, 1993

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence : 

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence Know Yourself Where do you come from? What are your experiences? What are your beliefs? What are your biases?

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence : 

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence Knowing about Families’ Values Family Education and schooling Humor Religion

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence : 

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence Knowing about Families’ Beliefs Child rearing practices Medical care Causation Disability Death and dying

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence : 

Enhancing Your Cultural Competence Knowing about Families’ Language/Communication Native language Communication ‘rules’

Cultural Views on Disability: Anglo-European : 

Cultural Views on Disability: Anglo-European Reason for disability based on scientific causes, genetics, environmental agents, and prenatal and perinatal trauma. Services focus on access to typical activities, employment, and living. Normalization and the Least Restrictive Environment are key.

Cultural Views on Disability: Native American : 

Cultural Views on Disability: Native American Causes of illness, misfortune, or disability may be attributable to supernatural causes or natural causes. In some tribes, the name of a child may be changed in order to confuse malevolent spirits assumed to be causing sickness or harm. Developmental delay is the primary cause of learning disabilities.

Cultural Views on Disability: African American : 

Cultural Views on Disability: African American Religion and beliefs about illness/disability are intertwined. Disability is often seen as bad luck or misfortune or as the result of ‘sins of the father’ Typically exhibit less prejudice towards people with disabilities. Attitudes towards causation have little real effect on how the individual is accepted into the family or community.

Cultural Views on Disability: Latino : 

Cultural Views on Disability: Latino Birth of a child with a disability can be interpreted as a curse put on the child by someone,the effects of an evil spirit, God’s punishment, folk beliefs about the power of evil, or beliefs that life is laden with tragedy. Use of items to ward evil spirits. Fatalistic view of disability can allow families to address difficult situations with less emotional trauma but may also hinder the family’s need to work aggressively in helping the child with his/her disability.

Cultural Views on Disability: Asian : 

Cultural Views on Disability: Asian Disability is thought to be caused by the mother’s failure to follow prescribed dietary recommendations, violating certain taboos during pregnancy, failure to act as an appropriate role model during pregnancy Disability is caused by divine punishment for sins or moral transgressions. Inappropriate behavior in children is ascribed to parental inadequacy. Disability traditionally creates family embarrassment, shame, and stigma.

Cultural Views on Disability: Pilipino : 

Cultural Views on Disability: Pilipino More severe disabilities carry heavy stigma. Disability and illness are often attributed to the mother’s behavior and diet. Disability is often seen as God’s will, divine punishment, or associated with supernatural ailments attributed to other spiritual causes. Children with serious emotional disturbances or disabilities such as autism may be described as “possessed” or as the victims of angry or evil spirits. The family typically remains centrally involved with the care of a child with a disability; siblings are expected to provide ongoing care for siblings with disabilities.

Cultural Views on Disability: Middle Eastern : 

Cultural Views on Disability: Middle Eastern Guilt and shame are common feelings for families of a child with a disability. The mother is held responsible for the birth of a child with a disability. Mothers often feel they are being punished for some wrongdoing before or during the pregnancy. Stereotypes may limit the family’s willingness to bring the child into public.

End of Lecture : 

End of Lecture Please be sure to read the Lynch chapter. Some students have reported difficulty downloading this chapter. Please note that you may come by my office during office hours to get a copy. For a bibliography on Cross-Cultural Competence, visit http://www.fathersnetwork.org/page.php?page=645&