Developing Cross-Cultural Competence: A Guide for Working With Children and Their Families (Developing Cross-Cultural Competence (Lynch))

The third edition of this bestselling professional resource and textbook highlights the cultural and ethnic diversity of families in the U.S. The book is designed to be used by a broad audience of pre-service professionals and interventionists who work with families and children with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, whose customs, beliefs, and values may differ from their own. Section I introduces issues that surround working with families from diverse cultural, ethnic, and language groups and describes recommended practices for culturally competent intervention. Section II consists of nine chapters focused on different groups in America, each written by expert contributors who belong to the culture. Chapters provide up-to-date information about the history, demographics, and traditions, beliefs, and customs of each group with an emphasis on issues related to family, child rearing, and disability. The chapters also offer culture-specific insights on implications for intervention. They include case stories as well as appendixes with lists of contrasting beliefs, values, and practices; cultural courtesies and customs; significant cultural events/holidays/practices; and sample vocabulary. The last section of the book offers a summary and synthesis of the discussion and makes recommendations for professionals and the systems in which they work. There is an appendix of suggested readings and resources that has been expanded to include more books, films, theater, and other media.