Chapter 11 - A Bio-Cultural Approach to Report Writing

Abstract

This chapter explains a bio-cultural approach to report writing. Proponents of the bio-cultural theory contend that a more comprehensive theoretical approach is very important in assessing students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. Before presenting a sample bio-cultural report, it is necessary to explore some issues in assessment or diagnosis and intervention. With culturally different families, it is critical to conduct differential diagnoses for intellectual assessment, educational assessment, visual-motor assessment, and personality assessment. To conduct a differential diagnosis for visual-motor assessment, one should examine whether it is a cultural matter or a true sign of a neurological or visual-motor disorder. To conduct a differential diagnosis for personality assessment, it is crucial to examine whether the issue is depression, adjustment disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or psychosomatic disorder. With culturally different children, it is important to rule out cultural factors first before diagnosing a child as having an attention deficit hyperactive disorder.