How Colonialism Contributed to the Racialized History of Indigenous People by Unethical Diagnostic Implementations of Categories and Classifications – Overlooking Exceptionalities

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article looks at how colonialism has contributed to the racialized history of Indigenous people by unethical diagnostic implementations of categories and classifications, while overlooking exceptionalities when assessing Indigenous people. By understanding how settler-colonial assessments and/or diagnostic tests have been developed and utilized on Indigenous peoples, the reader can grasp the severity of any misdiagnoses, which can contribute to mislabeling due to cultural factors that have not been included and are beyond the understanding of the often non-Indigenous evaluator. Having an assessment or diagnoses, though, is a method to obtain accommodations and specialized education. Yet, if the systems that were created do not accurately measure the responses of the Indigenous individual, then an injustice will occur, not only for a possible misdiagnosis, but also for a missed opportunity to offer help if required. The need to understand the total individual beyond a mere assessment can provide insightful information, which is crucial for the examinee and examiner. It can affect the life of the whole person being assessed, if done without the Indigenous information that has been omitted.