Multicultural

Special Education
Theresa Knipstein Meyer
Butler University
Adapted from “Multicultural Special Education”
by Festus Obiakor
 Working with Multicultural Learners with
Learning Disabilities

• Focus on appropriate identification

• Focus on assessment

• Focus on developing new and proven

strategies that meet individual learners
 Working with Multicultural Learners with
Behavioral Problems
• Create a diverse Multidisciplinary Team
• Consider whether the behavior is related to cultural
background
• Define problem behaviors
• Gather additional information about student and
behavior
• Record behavior and list and analyze the antecedents
and consequences
• Formulate and validate hypothesis
• Develop behavior intervention plans
 Appropriate Identification
• Clinical Interviews-assess the child to see where ultimate
problem may be lie-confusion over questions,
vocabulary, problems expressing ideas and thoughts
• Make assessments Ecological-observe in a variety of
settings
• Interview parents and teacher
• Watch Intelligence tests-look multidimensional
• Understand Achievement tests-function on grade level
may have discrepancy in ability levels
• Review cumulative reports and records for patterns
 Innovative Teaching Techniques
• Know Warning Signs-consistently displaying
difficulty
• Participating in professional development-
update teaching skills
• Design Learning Profile of each student
• Develop Effective Teaching Techniques-learn
differently (LD)
 Teaching Techniques
• Provide Individualized Instruction
• Provide a Structure for Learning
• Build Students’ Self-Concepts
• Meet with Parents to discuss their child
• Understand the Laws and procedures for
Special Education
• Advocate on Behalf of Students
 Teaching Techniques
• Always gain a student’s attention before giving directions.
• Call the student by name to alert him or her to focus on
attention.
• Using visual aids to capitalize on student’s visual
processing.
• Provide auditory/visual association tools.
• Write assignments on the board so student can copy
them.
• Provide the student with the list of assignments as
needed.
 Culturally Responsive Educator
• Insists that family support is a must in
successful educational experiences.
• Knows that caring and good teachers are a
must for success
• Utilizes assessments to adequately identify
students’ needs.
• Understand school support systems are
needed
 Culturally Responsive Educator
• Understand that how a child learns is a major
component in the process.
• Adapts the classroom environment to meet needs
of learners.
• Provide adaptable materials.
• Use peer tutors to increase learning opportunities.
• Avoid assumptions.
• Allow learners to maximize their learning potential.