SPHR 104 - Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Disability Evaluations by Dr. Cate Crowley

Course Description

Focus

To identify a true disorder accurately, we must distinguish that from "something else" which can include dialectal differences, second language acquisition, prior knowledge, and SES. While a challenge, legal, research, and policy provide an effective lens for making an accurate differential diagnosis. Supported by case studies and evidence-based clinical approaches participants the hows and the whys of culturally and linguistically appropriate disability evaluations.

Learning Outcomes

Identify the legal framework on culturally and linguistically appropriate disability evaluations.
Define dynamic assessment and describe 3 approaches to implementing dynamic assessment during a disability evaluation.
Identify the critical questions for the parent interview to improve diagnostic accuracy in disability evaluations

Agenda

8:30 - 9:30 Law framework for disability evaluations

9:30 - 10:30 Disability vs "Something Else"; Defining the "Something Elses"

10:30 - 10:40 Break

10:40 - 11:20 Reviewing current assessment materials for "Something Else"

11:20 - 12:15 Dynamic Assessment

12:15 - 1:15 Lunch

1:15 - 2:00 Parent interview and Teacher Interview

2:00 - 2:50 Case studies.

2:50 - 3:00 Q and A

More About Dr. Crowley:

Catherine Crowley, J.D., Ph.D., CCC-SLP is Distinguished Senior Lecturer in the program of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College Columbia University, where she founded and directs the bilingual/multicultural program focus and the Bilingual Extension Institute. She works to enhance the quality of services for children and adolescents, particularly those bilingual and minority students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

An ASHA Fellow, Dr. Crowley is active at the national level and has won several national awards including ASHA's awards for "Special contributions to multicultural affairs" and "Significant contributions to international issues," and "Outstanding contributions to schools."

Dr. Crowley is also an experienced attorney. Her work in this field focuses on ensuring that students receive culturally and linguistically appropriate disability evaluations, emphasizing appropriate assessment of bilingual and minority students and students from lower-income backgrounds. She regularly consults on assessment issues with federal, state, and local agencies.

Since 2006, Dr. Crowley has led annual trips to Bolivia, Columbia, and Ghana. While there, her TC SLP graduate students provide free services to people with communication disorders.