Early Intervention Strategies for Success

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  • Are Cultural Differences Truly Developmental Delays?(current)

Miguel is 19 months old and lives with a large family that includes his parents, three older siblings, an aunt, and his grandparents. He qualified foBaby Smilingr early intervention due to delays in gross motor development and low muscle tone. He’s also showing some slight delays in his expressive communication. During his assessment and subsequent intervention visits, you notice that Miguel’s family often carries him around or keeps him in a pack-n-play during the day. His family is also very skilled at meeting his needs, so much so that he barely has to vocalize to get what he wants. The more you get to know the family, the more you wonder…does Miguel truly have developmental delays or are his developmental differences due to how he is cared for?

What’s Causing Miguel’s Delays?

Wondering why Miguel is showing delays is a normal part of the detective work we do as early interventionists. We believe that when we can find an environmental factor, then maybe we can help the family make changes to eliminate it. Sometimes this is true, such as when a child is in an under-stimulating child care environment and we can help the family find a better option. Other times, though, the factors in the environment are grounded in family values and cultural beliefs that are much harder to change. We have to question whether or not it is even appropriate to try to change family values or beliefs? Is that our place?

Cultural Differences in Child Rearing & Independence

Based on their cultural beliefs, Miguel’s family defines their role in his child rearing as taking complete care of him and ensuring his safety. Miguel is included in all family activities and is well-cared for and very well-loved. The female caregivers in his life (mom, aunt, sisters, grandmother) all share the responsibility of caring for him, carrying him around, and meeting his needs. They use the pack-n-play to keep Miguel safe from all of the traffic in the home, fearing that he would be stepped on if left on the floor to play since he can’t move out of the way yet. Developing Miguel’s independence is not a priority for them as, in their culture, he is considered a baby for the first few years of his life. This is different from our typical American view of infancy and early milestones. This difference doesn’t make their cultural view wrong. It does complicate matters, though, since our assessments and intervention processes don’t often adequately consider cultural differences.

Does It Matter?

You might be thinking “does the cause really matter?” and I’d say that yes, it does. Perhaps a more important question to ask is what Miguel’s parents think. Asking them when children are expected to walk and talk in their culture can give you an important clue. If they say that they think Miguel should be walking and talking by now, then the door is open to discuss intervention. If they say no, then talk about their interest in early intervention. It’s fine to talk about what we expect developmentally in typical American culture so that they understand why we are concerned (our perspective) and have information on which to base their decision. It’s important to have this discussion, though, with respect for their cultural values and beliefs.

If you were Miguel’s service provider, how would you support his family? Would you address your observations? How would you provide intervention suggestions that were sensitive to his family’s cultural beliefs? 

Does it matter that his delays might be related to his caregiving and culture? Why or why not?


For more information about cultural competence, visit the VA Early Intervention Professional Development Center’s Cultural Competence topic page and the Cultural Competence (PDF, New Window) resource landing pad.

110 comments on “Are Cultural Differences Truly Developmental Delays?

  • Jessica B says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider I would support his family by taking into consideration their beliefs and values. I would first ask what they expect from Miguel’s development for his age. Once I get an answer from the family related to their development, I would relate it to the typical American culture and explain that as a program this is our observations and our concerns.
    Knowing that Miguel’s delay is related to his caregiving and culture is important because as a service coordinator I can work with the family in understanding the impact taking into consideration their cultural beliefs and respecting that.

    Reply
    • I like how you would start by asking Miguel’s family about their expectations. It would be great to ask about their priorities and concerns for his development too. Connecting the dots between their expectations and ours in American culture is so important because these dots are often missed, especially if professionals focus on items achieved/missed on tests (without considering functional development). As the service coordinator, you can help the whole team bridge any differences in expectations. When it comes down to it, like you said, we have to respect the family’s wishes while also providing information about what we see so that they can make informed decisions about their next steps. Service coordinators are SO important for navigating cultural issues across teams and supporting family decision-making! Thanks Jessica!

      Reply
  • Astrid says:

    As Miguel’s service coordinator I would take into consideration the family’s cultural belief and how that relates and shapes the caregiving style of the family. From the description I can tell that the family is highly involved in caring for Miguel so I would validate that as a way to show support. I would then ask them what developmental expectations they have for Miguel. I would explain to them my concerns as a service coordinator based on what I have observed and make recommendations based on the family dynamic. I would help the family find an appropriate intervention method that is considerate of their beliefs and caregiving style.

    Reply
    • So well-said, Astrid! I like how you integrate your respect for the family and sharing your expertise. How do you handle it when your observations differ from the developmental expectations of the family and these differences relate to their cultural beliefs and styles?

      Reply
  • Tiffany Cervantes says:

    As Miguel’s service coordinator, I would ask the family what their goals for Miguel’s development are. I would ask the family what are their concerns. These concerns may differ from the ones the program has for Miguel, but the family are seeking help for their own concerns for Miguel not the program’s concerns. After developing a relationship with the family, I would discuss milestones the PCP look for to be met by children Miguel’s age and discuss if that is something they would like to address with the program. I would not press any issues with them and allow them to customize their therapy for their child because they are supposed to be able to do that.

    Reply
    • Thanks Tiffany! I really like how you said that Miguel’s family should have the opportunity to “customize” early intervention for their child. That’s what it’s all about. We do have to be prepared for differences between our priorities and concerns and the family’s. This discussion can be most effective when we help families understand how those milestones relate to a child’s everyday, functional abilities and what is expected within his family and his culture. It can be tricky to explain, but service coordinators often do a great job of this and they have the rest of the professionals on the team to help as well.

      Reply
      • Xochitl Barba says:

        If I were Miguel’s service provider I would encourage his family to gather information from families with the same culture and beliefs to be able to Miguel’s age and milestones accomplished. If the children with same beliefs and culture are around the same level, then I wouldn’t be too worried. If there seems to be a delay, then they could reach out to programs that can help with his growth, such as one on one sessions, or even more interactions with children his age. If these sessions don’t seem to work, then I would ask what type of technology use is Miguel exposed to. I know that as technology has advanced, it is easier for parents to just hand their kids their phone and let them watch what they want, but we haven’t considered many of the effects it can bring, including delays.If there are delays because of cultural beliefs I don’t think it’s that big of a deal since eventually they will learn it, but it should definitely be a concern if it relates to technology.

        Reply
        • I really appreciate your recommendation for Miguel’s family to look to others in their culture when considering Miguel’s developmental delay. That would be really helpful information for the service provider to have too to build cultural awareness. If his delays are not due to cultural factors, then yes, the next step would be to consider what else might be going on.

          Reply
  • Hannah says:

    It would first be good to know who put in for the referral. There is certain information not provided in this blog that would be beneficial. If the family made the referral, they are aware that there are some delays and are wanting help. If someone else made the referral, they may be unaware of the concerns that should be present. Asking the family about their priorities in regards to Miguel’s development would be my first step. If a goal is set that is important to the family, they are more likely to implement the strategies that we practice during each session.

    The reason for delay does matter, because it is beneficial to know the cause. If the cause is merely environmental, that is important to communicate to the family. If the delay is dependent upon the child only, the family should be understanding of that.

    Reply
    • Thanks so much for joining the conversation, Hannah! The source of the referral really does make a difference, especially in how you approach that first contact. I love what you said about goals. Sounds like you are doing a great job!

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  • Angela Estrada says:

    If I was working with the family, I would, like Hannah stated, see who referred them, because if it was the family, then it would be easier to address their concerns and see what they wanted to work on. I would bring up some observations I have seen and approach the topic as if I were complimenting their techniques. Saying that, I would also bring in some suggestions as to what they can do to incorporate improvements on their child’s milestones.I would definitely be aware of the family’s cultural beliefs when doing this. Since their family is focused on his safety, I would bring up the idea of having play interaction with Miguel and his caregivers on bigger floor space. They would still be able to ensure his safety by being with him and working on building some muscles. I would even bring up the idea that him building his muscle tone can help ensure his safety that much more.
    In my belief, it does matter that his delays might be related to his caregiving and culture. If this was the main factor, then it would give us a chance to try and find another method they could use that would not violate their beliefs and be more beneficial to Miguel.

    Reply
    • Well said, Angela! I really like how you said you would try to compliment their techniques as you talk about intervention strategies. That’s a beautiful way of saying that you would integrate intervention with what they are already doing and what’s important to the family – which is exactly how EI should work. I agree that a skillful interventionist can weave support with what parents are already doing while being mindful of cultural values and preferences.

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  • Adriana C. says:

    As Miguel’s provider I would build rapport with his family by not only respecting and understanding their culture but also by being flexible and understanding from their point of view. It is important to understand their culture in order to avoid offending or to jeopardize good rapport. Although our culture may see it as a problem, Miguel’s culture may not.
    Understanding the goals the family would wish Miguel would reach and adjusting the program to their wishes. If their parenting style clearly intervenes with his growth potential, I would talk about his potential in a way that does not offend their style or culture. If they wish to explore some adjustments to help their child’s fullest potential I will be there to help them with the transition and to support their journey.

    Reply
    • Well said, Adriana! Yes, building rapport is really the foundation of every interaction with have families. I like how you write about “adjusting the program to their wishes” while also discussing the child’s potential. Managing that balance can be difficult for some of us, but it’s a wonderful way to approach working with any family. Thanks!

      Reply
  • Lindsey Wineholt says:

    I believe it is very important to take into the cultural beliefs of the family before making recommendations. As mentioned above, just because the family views development differently, does not mean that their way is wrong. Therefore, I think it’s important to open the conversation with what concerns the family has. Then, the interventionist can talk about the differences in culture, and how these “delays” may be a concern in American culture. However, it’s important to explain that you feel that the family is doing an exceptional job caring for their son and if they don’t have concerns, there is no reason to intervene in those areas.

    Reply
    • Well said, Lindsey! It’s so easy to think that because our assessment tool says that an 18 month old has to do —– at a certain age, that that means it must be right for all children. Many of our tools weren’t normed on children from different cultures, or even very young children with disabilities for that matter. Combining our informed clinical opinion with cultural considerations and info from the assessment is a wonderful skill that takes time, practice, and awareness to develop!

      Reply
  • Loana says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider, I would support his family by first taking into consideration his family’s customs and cultural values, and asking them about what they expect to be within the limits of ‘normal’ in their culture for a child Miguel’s age. I would also ask them about what their priorities or concerns are about Miguel’s development to get a better picture of their familial settings. I would then observe Miguel’s behavior and compare it to American ideals of typical development at his age, and address my observations based on the family’s concerns and goals for Miguel, even though this may not align exactly with American developmental milestones. To provide intervention services, I must be able to understand their culture to the best of my ability to avoid offending Miguel’s parents on their parenting techniques, because most of his ‘developmental delays’ could just be in complete normal limits of his culture! I would then make sure to sit down with his parents and explain how some of his delays (in American culture) could be of concern, and make recommendations & provide information out of pure respect for the family’s wishes.

    Reply
    • Thanks Loana. It can be a real challenge to find the balance between cultural differences and our expectations when we are not of the same culture. Approaching the discussion from a respectful point of view, as you describe, is always a good idea. I like how you describe trying to bring everything together – viewing his behavior from both perspectives and in the context of the family’s priorities and goals. You’ve got the right idea!

      Reply
  • Ava Thomaston says:

    I would ask his family what they are concerned about, or if they’re concerned at all. I’d ask them if they’ve considered playing with him in a closed room so he can explore different skills and still stay out of the family traffic. I might say something like, “typically a 19 month old would be walking and getting pretty independent by now, is that something that you would like for Miguel to be doing?”
    If they have experienced that even though their kids are delayed by normal standards at young ages but catch up well when they’re older, I would respect that. I would also ask them if they themselves have any goals for Miguel right now.

    Reply
    • I really love your last sentence…asking about the family’s goals and priorities for Miguel is actually a great first place to start! Regarding the discussion with Miguel’s family, it’s important to keep in mind, though, that “normal standards” are somewhat relative…there could be very normal standards within their culture that are different from what we find on our tests (that may not have been normed to include their culture). That’s why it’s a careful balance. I remember, years ago, being fascinated to read about a different set of developmental milestones for infants and toddlers with significant visual impairments. The milestones were what was “normal” for them. It really made me think differently.

      Reply
  • Rhonda says:

    As one who sees this run in my own culture and family, it is hard to say that it is not the cause of the delay. Parents do tend to cater to every single need even when sometimes we must push our children to get better and improve their growth. However, no matter what the cause of the developmental delay entails, as a service provider we must respect the family’s wishes and do what is best for the child’s development. If it is something the family brings up, it would help to have an open conversation about it.

    Reply
    • I really appreciate how you wrote this, Rhonda. Cultural and family interactions certainly do contribute so much to how a child develops. It’s hard to say for sure that yes or no, those things cause a delay. I think the key is to remember, as you said, that we have to respect how the family works and be open to working with them within the boundaries of their priorities and preferences.

      Reply
  • Yvonne Nguyen says:

    As a service provider, I would definitely address my observations of how the family cares for their child. But first, I would ask the family questions on what their expectations are of their child at the moment. I would then explain to them the typical American culture’s expectations of children around Miguel’s age. I would not express my observations in a worrisome manner, rather, I would state that these are simply observations I have noticed and that I would like to discuss the possibility of ECI for Miguel. But i’s important to not make them feel like they are not up to American standards or that they aren’t doing a great job as caretakers already. I do think that it matters that his delays might be related to his caregiving and culture. In these situations, it would be important to work with their culture in order to determine the best methods for Miguel instead of enforcing typical American standards and practices on them and make them do things they are not comfortable with.

    Reply
  • chrisann says:

    If I was Miguel’s server provider, first I would respects the families beliefs and values while I am trying to better his developmental delays. I would work with the family as much as I could and give them the opportunity to be apart of the strategies and solutions from for the child. Since is delay is caused by his care giving and cultural beliefs, I would have to work with the family to know about the activities and the type of caregiving they provide for the child s that I can come up with different interventions for the child to be better

    Reply
    • The collaboration you describe is so important. Keep in mind that you are not expected to come up with intervention strategies on your own…we know that developing intervention strategies through coaching and collaboration with the family in the context of their everyday routines and activities is the best way to go. When you work as partners with the parents in these contexts, you and the parent both share what you know and develop individualized, meaningful strategies together. That’s true regardless of the cause of the delay!

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  • Lore B says:

    I would definitely start with asking what goals do the parents have for Miguel. Then I would try and see what practices align exactly with those goals and to see what sort of things could be compromised on. I might show them the typical developmental milestones but ultimately let the parents make it clear on what they want for their child

    Reply
  • Alexandria Gonzalez says:

    First things first, I would ask the family what is important to them and what goals they had in mind. It is important to consider that what is culturally appropriate for them may be different than what is culturally appropriate in America, and that is okay. Making the family feel comfortable and a part of the process is a huge component of successful intervention. It would be difficult to teach the family strategies based on a culture that they don’t understand. In order to bridge the gap, I would inform them about American norms as best as I could, and then let them decide if they would like to proceed with a hybrid plan infused with both cultures.

    Reply
  • Anne Ngo says:

    Since our intervention standards don’t always align with other cultures, I believe that there should be clearly defined assessments that allow for cultural exceptions. I believe that knowing the family’s concerns are key. If they are concerned about the implications that their cultural standards will have on his assimilation, then there is an opening for further discussion. If not, it is not our job to intervene since these services are voluntary.

    Reply
    • I really wish we did have clearly defined assessments as you describe, Anne. Some tools do provide guidance on adapting items for cultural and developmental differences, but since many don’t, and you really can’t account for everything anyway, I think that is why we are required by law to use our “informed clinical opinion” with assessments. Same goes for intervention – if the family is interested in EI and you suspect that their cultural practices are affecting the child’s development, you have to tread lightly, learn about their beliefs and practices, and adapt what you know about development to work with the family. When I did this, sometimes I ended up learning probably more than the family did! 🙂

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  • Maryam Arjomandi says:

    I would take into consideration his families beliefs and values, and make sure I emphasize my respect for their views when talking about early intervention. I would definitely open up a dialogue about early intervention to see if they would be interested in that, explaining the time frames in which a child can typically begin walking. At the end of the day, I would let them know that their family goals and how they want to achieve them are what is most important for me, as the service coordinator.

    Reply
  • Vanessa Medrano says:

    I agree that culture does take a large effect on determining whether a child has any developmental delays. Certain cultures push for independence early on for their child and this allows for their child to experience his or her environment, but if they are protected by everything this could limit experience with certain senses. This could lead further developmental delays

    Reply
    • Yes, determining this can be tricky because what we may view as a delay could be viewed as a normal variance in another culture. Learning as much as you can about the culture of a particular family, by reading about it, talking to other EIs who have worked with families of the same culture, and perhaps asking the family for more information, can be a good place to start.

      Reply
  • Caleb says:

    I do believe that it is important to consider their cultural beliefs but you should also have an open dialogue with the family and respectfully let them know some of the implications of not allowing Miguel to go off on his own. Be respectful because they may not actually be aware of the cultural norms here in the US. Allow them to make the decision and decide if this is something that they would like to focus on. Maybe let the family know that every child is different and that even though this method may have worked for their other children it may not work for Miguel.

    Reply
  • Kimberly says:

    As Miguel’s service provider, I would ask the family about their expectations of development and of ECI and myself. I would explain how our program works and how our development checklists look. I would inform the family that they have a right to choose to be enrolled in ECI or not. I believe cultural differences should be valued and taken into consideration. If we are working on what we value, and not the family, there will be no follow through and eventually will ruin the rapport with the family.

    Reply
    • I agree, Kimberly. You make a great point about the importance of valuing cultural differences and what’s important to the family. Building that rapport and checking our own biases are so important!

      Reply
  • Megan Silver says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider, I don’t know if I could keep myself from having a conversation with the family about my own cultural values and typical American standards for development. Since the family is living in the United States, I feel it’s important to make sure they know what daycares and schools will expect once Miguel arrives. It is so important to respect a family’s cultural values, priorities, and beliefs. At the same time, when a family lives in a society with different belief systems, it’s important that they at least be aware of what are considered typical developmental milestones and what kids of certain ages are generally expected to do. This is especially relevant considering that Miguel will likely join a mainstream school system that does not always accommodate developmental and cultural differences. Of course, the decision is always up to the family, so although I would provide them with the information, I would never force the family to alter their caregiving style or change their priorities to accommodate external cultural pressures.

    Reply
    • I really appreciate your honesty here, Megan. It would be very hard NOT to share that information. I think if you do it from a place of respect and openness, then you will be supporting the family rather than imposing your views on them. Balancing respecting their cultural values and experiences with sharing information about what to expect can be a bit challenging. It’s important to remember that cultural differences in developmental milestones and parenting practices are not necessarily wrong, just different. Maybe a good place to start is by making sure that we are aware of the research on cultural differences and developmental delays, so that we can present that balanced, accurate point of view. We will be presenting a 2-part Talks on Tuesdays webinar series on communication development in children how are dual language learners in March and April 2018. Stay tunes for more info. I hope you can join us!

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  • Natalie Huynh says:

    I have a very similar experience with my baby cousin. His parents watch over him 24/7. Many of the priorities I value such as self feeding his parents do not agree with. He is almost 3 and does not feed himself because his parents don’t see that as a priority so I think the way he is being raised is heavily influenced by the culture around him. If I were Miguel’s service provider, I would definitely address those observations. Regardless of difference in cultural values, I think it’s’ important to express any concerns as his service provider. Suggesting intervention can be really difficult and I think providing suggestions for intervention should be approached in a very professional manner that doesn’t seem like Miguel’s family and their cultural beliefs are being attacked.

    Reply
    • Lisa Terry, M.S., M.Ed. says:

      Thank you, Natalie, for sharing your experience. Your example is one we often encounter because of child rearing practices in many different cultures do not place heavy emphasis on teaching children to be independent at a young age. Educating parents on typical development is important. I always like to see what opportunities the child has to still practice the same skills and build confidence. One approach is to discuss the value of identifying learning opportunities for each child with the family. We know it may take a child hundreds of opportunities to master skills as they learn and grow. Asking the family to identify and reflect on these opportunities can be a great way to value their culture and address the family’s concerns at the same time.

      Reply
  • Kori Epstein says:

    I think the first step would be to build a sense of trust with the family. Through active listening, responding with empathy, and remaining open-minded, the service provider can learn what the family considers to be a priority for their son. Through learning what the family cares about, that can be related to the child’s developmental delays and goals could be determined from there. I think it would be good to explain implications of the delays and intentionally speak about how they relate to typical American culture so both the provider and family can work together to be on the same page. (This should be done in a way that does not place judgment.) Together, this team can reflect and decide how they would like to move forward with Miguel and early intervention.

    Reply
    • Excellent point! The service provider can absolutely share information about typical American cultural expectations for development, but must be sure to do so in a sensitive, objective, and nonjudgmental manner. This doesn’t mean that we will expect Miguel’s family to change their interactions to accommodate these expectations…we must also respect Miguel’s cultural expectations and understand that they are equally important and relevant to the discussion. Providing information so that his family can make informed decisions, and being accepting of information from them, will help us all learn together and hopefully create IFSP outcomes that are meaningful for him.

      Reply
  • Laura Mullin says:

    If I were his service provider I would be very careful not to step on the families toes in terms of cultural differences. I would include them in everything I did with the child and make them feel very involved and hands on. You could also try to come up with ways to help without hindering the family. If they believe that they should help him through everything, then I would come up with tasks/games etc that involve them. There is still room to speak with the family about taking a step back to help him become more independent without feeling like you are interjecting into their beliefs. It is definitely a sensitive subject, but if the provider goes about it with respect and understanding then everyone can help to make Miguel’s progress a reality.

    Reply
    • Thanks Laura. I like how you are suggesting that we start from a perspective that matches the family’s approach to raising their child. Sensitively providing information and guidance while remaining open to the family’s way of doing things is always an important balance in EI!

      Reply
  • Sarah says:

    I would begin gathering as much information about the family as I could. Beginning with very open questions like “What brings you here today?” or “What are your expectations for Miguel?”, I think open communication is the key for successful intervention because we need to be on the same page as the family. I would share my observations in a very respectful manner and if I had specific concerns, I would be very sensitive in explaining why I feel this is a concern. The family may not realize there are alternatives to the concerning behavior. Miguel has a very supportive family system and I think keeping everyone informed and included in the process would be most beneficial for Miguel.

    Reply
    • Using open questions like that is a great way to learn from the family! It can be easy to make cultural assumptions about a family just because of what we think we know. Inviting the family to share what they know and what they need to know is a respectful way to start the conversation.

      Reply
  • Mawardi Berkhadley says:

    I feel like this is such a difficult topic to discuss with family’s because cultural beliefs are something that should always be respected, but at the same time I feel that a family should be aware of the milestones Miguel should be at. If I was Miguel’s service provider I would study his behavior and compare to a child of his age at normal development. If there is something extremely off between Miguel and a child of his age at normal development I would express my concerns to the parents and try to come up with a solution that benefits the child but at the same time respects the cultural beliefs of a family.

    Reply
    • You’ve captured the struggle that many EI providers feel perfectly, Mawardi. Ideally, if you can compare his development to another child from the same culture, that may be best. However, this is not always possible so having a strong understanding of typical child development is helpful. If you have colleagues who have worked with children and families from the same culture, they can be a helpful source of info too. It’s also important to keep in mind that not all children of a similar culture will develop the same way because of individual family variables. Monitoring development while being mindful of cultural differences and expectations is often the best you can do.

      Reply
  • Emily Hinds says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider, I would first ask the family about their goals and expectations for their child. Since culture is such a sensitive topic, we must tread lightly. If they are concerned about Miguel’s progress in the area of motor movement then we can begin to discuss that the care giving techniques may be hindering him in that area and we might suggest some new options. Many cultures and individuals do not realize the impact some actions may have on their child’s development and the families have the right to know this information as long as they are open to the idea.

    Reply
    • Well said, Emily! You are right on track with beginning by asking the family about their goals and expectations. The info you gather will inform your next steps and help you understand where the family is coming from. This is important for all families.

      Reply
  • Alicia Arevalo says:

    “Are cultural differences truly developmental delays?”
    I believe from a medical standpoint that a person or families cultural viewpoint or way of life can hinder a child’s development. Anything that hinders a child’s development should be considered a developmental delay because there are obstacles therapist or doctors still have to work around or adjust to in order to help the child. However, looking at Miguel’s case and family, this blog shares with us that he has siblings who most likely grew up in the same way. When looking at them and comparing them to Miguel, did they grow up in the same way and did they have the same struggles and if so how is there development now at an older age?

    Reply
  • If I was Miguel’s service provider, I would support his family by being politely expressive, and making suggestions rather than telling and demanding. I would most definitely address my observations. I would provide intervention suggestions that were sensitive to his family’s cultural beliefs by creating a dynamic relationship, one that both offers a developmental path with or without adjusting the way they take care of Miguel. Developmental activities can be provided and can help regardless of if they choose to change any sort of caretaking techniques. It definitely matters that his delays may be related to caregiving and culture, because early interventionists/families need to know that true developmental progress might not occur without a change in caregiving.

    Reply
    • I think what you describe here, Mikayla, is that delicate balance that service providers must walk between respecting family preferences and sharing information. Approaching it with sensitivity, as you said, is important.

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  • Abigail Onwunali says:

    If I was Miguel’s provider I would support his family’s decision. I would impliment my opions when needed but I would not force them to do what they do not feel comfortable doing. I would address my observations and provide intervention information that his family can use when they feel ready to. I would suggest more family plans to be put in place to help Miguel with his developmental delays. All cultures have a different way of approuching child development. Though some cultures may be more advance on child research than others, it does not mean that one technique is better than the other. With that being said, I as a service provider must be aware of that when caring for Miguel and helping his family.

    Reply
    • Thanks Abigail. I agree that we have an obligation to share our observation and provide information that, as you said, the family can use when ready or if they decide to. I think making room for the family to make those decisions is the key. It’s hard to know what a family understands about child development, or how that knowledge is impacted by culture and just by individual family priorities and values. You are absolutely right…we must be aware of these things as much as possible because they really do shape how a family will choose to be involved in early intervention.

      Reply
  • Yesenia Lares says:

    I would try and meet Miguel’s family cultural needs as best I could. I would discuss interventions with them and emphasize how the family needs are priority, but that these interventions are available to them. I would describe each intervention thoroughly and the purpose behind it. I would voice my observations if I felt they were appropriate and tried to describe them by being culturally sensitive.
    This is a gray area question because there are pros and cons to his care giving potentially affecting his delays. It doesn’t matter if the family prioritizes culture, because ECI emphasizes the family’s needs first.

    Reply
    • Thanks Yesenia. I really like how you said you would thoroughly describe each intervention and the purpose behind it. That’s important because it ensures that the family will have the information they need to make informed decisions about what they want for Miguel. Then, they can decide what is appropriate within their values and their priorities.

      Reply
  • Caitlin Baltzell says:

    First, I would develop a good relationship with the family so they know they can trust me. I would let the family know I respect their culture and child rearing techniques. However, I would let them know where the delays are coming from. Next, I would give them strategies of how to work on these delays. And, I would give them real life examples of how this will help in the future.

    Reply
  • Farah Kamal says:

    As a service provider I would ask the family what their typical practices are and why they choose to execute it in that way. After hearing their services, I would give examples of activities or routines that I have seen to be successful, while making sure I am not talking down on any of their current family practices. If there really is a delay due to a certain practice that they believe in, it is important to help them identify that. But firstly and most importantly we have to let the family know that their ideas and thoughts are the most important. We as service providers are only there to help and give advice.

    Reply
  • Kimberly Mendez says:

    As a service provider, I would definitely talk to the family and tell them about the observations and provide them with information that relates to the symptoms and conditions of the case. However, as a service provider I would also take into consideration the difference between cultures and have a comprehensive conversation with the parents to determine the best plan of action

    Reply
  • Mary Loran says:

    As Miguel’s service coordinator I think it is important to show my respect for the family and for their culture. It would be helpful to learn more about the family’s culture to see things from their perspective,and figure out what their priorities and preferences are before making any recommendations. I would take this information into account while discussing developmental milestones. So to answer the question, I do not think that cultural differences are necessarily developmental delays, but that the differences in what is expected of the child at a certain age, and the amount of exposure a child gets in his natural environment play a vital role in a child’s development and has to potential to hinder the development of the child.

    Reply
  • Janera says:

    As EIS provider or service coordinator working with Miguel’s family, it is my primary responsibility to be of service to them in helping Miguel to find success in his development, but only to the degree that his family prefers my assistance and intervention. Therefore, first, I must validate and respect their values and practices and seek to find areas of common purpose. I would ask respectful questions to gain an understanding of the family’s goals for him at present and in the near future, at least up to age 3. If his family mentions outcomes that ECI can address within the family’s preferred lifestyle, then those are the outcomes for which I would train, practice, and suggest for intervention purposes. If the family’s goals do not align with those of ECI, then I would explain the expectations schools will have in place and will also explain that ECI is voluntary, and that they have no obligation to participate.

    Reply
    • I really like your emphasis on a common purpose, Janera. I also love how you’ve described how to respect the family’s priorities by offering choices. We do these things for every family, but I’m so glad you emphasized them here, when working with a culturally diverse family. Thanks for adding to the discussion!

      Reply
  • J Young says:

    I would support his family by first educating his parents on why we believe his delays are present. I would address my observations but also provide suggestions on how to ensure Miguel properly develops. I would suggest giving him possibly 30 minutes a day to strengthen his weaker muscles. It does matter that his delays might be related to his caregiver and/or culture because that would bring into question if Miguel is actually developmentally delayed.

    Reply
    • Sharing suggestions for encouraging Miguel’s development is a great idea, but you’d first need to learn more about what might be contributing to his delays. Having a reciprocal conversation where the parents share their insights and priorities and you share what you know can be a great place to begin. Rather than prescribing a certain amount of “therapy” each day, which can be harder for families to do, consider working with the family to develop intervention strategies that achieve the same goals (addressing gross motor, for instance) that they can use throughout the day. Maybe they can help Miguel practice crawling or taking steps from the living room to the kitchen before and after each meal? Maybe his siblings can get involved and play with him in ways that challenge his motor skills? Then, once you have a few good ideas, the visit can be spent helping the parents and siblings practice using the strategies with Miguel, with your support. That way, they know what to do and how to do it when you aren’t there and the strategies and games become a part of just how they interact with Miguel. You can also use this kind of approach to learn about their cultural preferences and help find strategies that work for them. As you said, it DOES matter that he’s showing delays so we’d want to take a collaborative approach to helping the family address them. 🙂

      Reply
  • La'Rae says:

    I would ask the family what their concerns are for Miguel. If they have no concerns about his development then I would explain that ECI services are voluntary. I would say that he does qualify and give the test’s view of why he is appearing with delays. I would say that I can tell he is a very valuable family member and is well cared for. I would give some pointers on wait time to allow his speech to develop. I would encourage them to allow more play time outside his play pen so he will grow strong muscles like his other family members. I would offer the follow along program if they chose to not enroll in services. If they chose services I would do CM and SST only.

    Reply
  • Claudia says:

    If I was Miguel’s service provider I would show support to the family by taking into consideration their culture. I would ask them what developmental concerns, if any, they have for Miguel. I would also ask them about when they believe that Miguel should reach certain developmental milestones. Based on this information, I would explain the differences there are between their culture and the American culture on developmental milestones. I would show them where Miguel is showing developmental delays, but would reassure them that they are doing great in raising him. Also, I would remind them that the evaluation is based on American culture, so it may differ and children do not always follow that pattern because everyone is different. It is important for us to know that his delay might be related to his culture and caregiving because it gives us the opportunity to learn and respect their culture. It helps us to provide a more accurate service to the family by making sure we are hearing their concerns and by providing early interventions to those areas. Also we will be able to customize those interventions do their daily family activities and routines.

    Reply
  • Ashley says:

    If I was Miguel’s service provider I would show support to the family by taking into consideration their culture. I would ask them what developmental concerns, if any, they have for Miguel. I would also ask them about when they believe that Miguel should reach certain developmental milestones. Based on this information, I would explain the differences there are between their culture and the American culture on developmental milestones. I would show them where Miguel is showing developmental delays but would reassure them that they are doing great in raising him. Also, I would remind them that the evaluation is based on American culture, so it may differ, and children do not always follow that pattern because everyone is different. Knowing that Miguel’s delay is related to his caregiving and culture is important because as a service coordinator I can work with the family in understanding the impact taking into consideration their cultural beliefs and respecting that.

    Reply
    • Yes! I love how you would ask the family about their expectations for Miguel’s development and milestones first. That’s a great place to start and one that builds respect and understanding. I also appreciate how you brought in the service coordinator perspective. Thanks Ashley!

      Reply
  • Jessica B says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider, I would support his family by taking into consideration their cultural beliefs and values. I would ask the family was is customary for children in their culture to accomplish at certain ages. I would also give them information about American expected milestones. I would talk with the family about any concerns they may have and their priorities for Miguel’s development. I would try and learn more about their culture from the family and by doing my own research so that I may best help the family, taking into considerations that while it may not be the American “normal” that does not make it wrong.
    It absolutely matters that Miguel’s delays may be related to his caregiving and culture. It is important to respect the family’s culture while also providing them with resources and strategies related to their priorities, without insulting their family beliefs.

    Reply
  • Joanna R says:

    If you were Miguel’s service provider, how would you support his family? Would you address your observations? How would you provide intervention suggestions that were sensitive to his family’s cultural beliefs?

    Does it matter that his delays might be related to his caregiving and culture? Why or why not?

    Yes I would address my observations to Miguel’s family. As mentioned in the article it is important to ask the family for their opinion- according to their culture what do they expect for their child? If they expect him to be talking and walking then I would express my concerns and ask them what they are comfortable with working on/changing to better meet Miguel’s needs. I believe it is very important to keep them involved, let them feel as though they are making the decisions. I would reassure them that I respect that culture is important and often shapes family but even making little changes would be of benefit in Miguel’s growth. Taking little steps and working with what the family is comfortable with is important (don’t want to be too pushy). It is important to know weather he truly has a developmental delay or whether the delay is due to environment, this way outcomes and services can be adjusted

    Reply
    • Thanks Joanna. You make a good point about not being too pushy. It’s important to achieve a balance that is respectful of family culture and priorities and allows you to give and gather information to help address Miguel’s development. The info you gather and provide should help the family make informed decisions about next steps.

      Reply
  • nallely tovar gar says:

    Base in the experience in my own cultural the dynamic in the family it would include everybody leaving in the household so you have to be respectful to every person point of view not only their child parent because in this family every responsible for the will being of Miguel. Base on that i would not only include in the conversation Miguel parent but as well other member in the family and explain to them developmental skill Miguel should have based in his age and how small changes in the household routine can benefit the child gain some independent and that independent is does not mean he still no the baby of the house. But in the end i would respect the decision the family make and continue to work with Miguel.With this family it reaming the saying it take village to rise a child as well the whole village should agreed at making the changes in the child life to see results

    Reply
    • Great point! I really appreciate how you’ve brought other family members into the picture. That is very appropriate and surely will make success more likely if everyone who interacts with Miguel at home is on the same page.

      Reply
  • Rebecca Roman says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider, I would make sure to build a rapport with the family and extended family. I would explain and show my understanding in the importance of family helping Miguel to develop his socio-emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. I would address to the family what I have observed and provide any feedback in my understanding of how they are caring for Miguel. The way I would provide intervention is by explaining to the family the interventions provided by our program will benefit Miguel’s overall development. Informing the family their techniques are not wrong and respecting their styles of parenting, but there is always ways to improve in helping a child develop.

    Yes, I do believe his delays might be related to his caregiving and culture. Of course, respecting the families culture is important. You do not want to offend the family in any way. However, there are strategies and tools to provide to the family and allow their culture to play a role in the development of Miguel.

    Reply
    • Thanks Rebecca. I love how you mention building rapport with Miguel’s extended family too – so important. What you describe is a nice balance between respecting cultural values and practices and sharing what you know to provide information and intervention ideas that the family can choose to use.

      Reply
  • Carissa says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider I would support his family by taking into consideration their beliefs and values. I would ask for their input to get a better understanding of their knowledge of child development. I would ask what their expectations are as far as child development from Miguel at his current age. I would then relate their answers to the typical expectant norms in American culture. I would also provide activities to adhere to their cultural beliefs, while working towards Miguel’s outcomes in his IFSP.

    Reply
    • Yes, exploring what his parents already know about development is really important! If what they know/expect is different from the norms in American culture, that’s okay. You can start a great conversation, provide information and learn together, and let the family decide what they want to do next.

      Reply
  • Diana Guajardo says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider, I would take into consideration the family’s cultural beliefs, customs, and values. Asking family and caregivers, What expectations do they have for Miguel? I would address my observations with the family. I would also share the expectations of a child of his age with family. Yes, his delays might be related to family and caregivers. If they do not allow him to walk or crawl on his own, when would they expect him to do so.

    Reply
  • Apeksha Jain says:

    If I was Miguel’s Service Provider, I would find out the source of referral and if the family is on the same page as the concern of the source of referral, if its not the family. if the family is the source of referral then there is a clarity that the family is willing to work towards the child. To know and understand the families willingness towards ECI is very important. Alongside, I would work on building rapport with the Miguel’s family within the integrity and respectful boundaries and understand their routines and lifestyle. I would initially try and get the family talking and meanwhile observe Miguel and build a connect with him and then address my queries whenever i observe Miguel able to do something or not able to demonstrate age appropriate development. i would reflect on Miguel’s and his family’s strength to address the weakness and working on them. To be able to understand the families needs and concern is important and to know if their concerns match the observation of Miguel’s and actions of the family to work towards it will help to gain the families confidence in you and develop a good IFSP plan for Miguel.

    Reply
  • Lisa Caraveo says:

    As a service provider I would ask the parents what their goals are for their child? I would also asked if they had any concerns about their child? And if yes, what are their concerns. From there we can discuss the milestones and work towards mastering all their goals and concerns. It is very understanding that a family especially women, are the main caregivers of a child’s life. I would totally understand their culture and beliefs. And as a service provider they can feel comfortable and explain how their family work together and their beliefs.

    Reply
    • I’m glad to see that you would start with finding out what is important to the family. It can take time to “totally understand” a family’s culture and beliefs, but being aware of the need to try to do that is a great way to start.

      Reply
  • Leanna Leslie says:

    If you were Miguel’s service provider, how would you support his family? Would you address your observations? How would you provide intervention suggestions that were sensitive to his family’s cultural beliefs?

    I would support his family very similar to the first article we read for this assignment about Carlos. I would first educate myself on the different cultures that Miguel is from and make sure I have a translater to make sure nothing is said incorrectly or comes off the wrong way that would offend Miguel or his parents. For example, in Latinx communities, people who are referred to as “educado” (educated) are considered polite, kind, and well-behaved. But in America, we consider educated as someone who is learning values, ideas, and subjects. Then I would make sure the care team is all on the same page about Miguel’s development and that is including Miguel’s parents. I would educate the team on gross motor development, muscle tone, and expressive communication, then I would politely introduce an intervention to help Miguel’s parents understand that Miguel needs to gain more independence or explore things around him so he can gain gross motor development, muscle tone, and expressive communication. Once everyone is on the same page, we would come up with a plan that would help us to our end goal of helping Miguel reach developmental milestones.

    Does it matter that his delays might be related to his caregiving and culture? Why or why not?

    I think it does matter that Miguel’s delays might be related to his caregiving and culture because, in the end, Miguel is the one that is going to struggle in life. I also think this is something that he could struggle a lot with once he starts his education journey because once he shows up in a classroom he might feel he is behind everyone else’s development or even set him back even more, by getting held back a grade. But if the Miguel care team takes action it could be an easy fix that won’t hold him back when he gets older and starts comparing himself to others. This question, also got me to think deeper about culture and relate it to my life. No matter where someone is from, they need to evolve into the culture they moved to, including my family. My family is from El Salvador but put me into the American public school system to get a better education. Three years into public school my teachers knew I needed more support but my family did not understand why. There was a language barrier between the school and my home but my second-grade teacher put in a lot of effort to reach out to my family to get the support I needed. My 2nd-grade teacher intervention plan seemed very similar to the outline I made above for the first question. Her care planned worked, I was placed into special support classes and tested out of them by the 5th grade. In conclusion, culture and caregiving is a huge part of child development without their help we would not be able to succeed in a classroom or in life.

    Reply
  • Anastasia Fillmore says:

    As Miguel’s Service Coordinator, I would utilize a strength-based approach with the family. I would take into consideration their cultural beliefs and utilize their support throughout the intervention process. I would ask the family what they are concerned about regarding Miguel? What are their hopes for Miguel? I would remind the family that they are the expert of their child and do my best to develop skills that are in accordance with their cultural. I would provide the family with developmental resources and show them a developmental chart and ask their thoughts about this and if they are in agreement with the developmental chart.
    It matters that Miguel’s delays may be related to his caregiving and culture. It is important to always respect the families cultures and beliefs. However, it is also important to educate them or make them aware of the long term effects this could possible have on Miguel.

    Reply
    • Amber Galyan says:

      As Miguel’s Service Coordinator, I would explain the areas of concern as far as development but also keep in mind their cultural norms. I would want to know the families goals and expectations they have for him and create goals that work with the physical development while still maintaining the social and cultural norms of the family. Since the family is very involved with Miguel I would utilize different techniques that incorporate the entire family addressing his needs for more independence.

      Reply
  • Gabby Solano says:

    As Miguel’s service provider, I would first of all respect the family’s cultural costumes. I will then ask open ended questions to the child’s primary caregiver and gather more information about his/her personal expectations for the child. I will then gather legitimate information about the importance of stimulation to help with the child’s development. How it is important for the child to explore around the house, childproof the house, the importance of repeating sounds to the child.
    It could be possible that Miguel’s delays are related to the family’s culture, costumes, and ways of taking care of him. It is important to private all these information in a respectful manner so that the parents gain knowledge on their child’s milestones, and how to meet his milestones according to his developmental age.

    Reply
  • Briana Falcon says:

    If I was Miguel’s service provider, I would definitely take into consideration the family’s cultural beliefs, customs, and values. Asking the family and caregivers about what expectations do they have for Miguel? and what also are there goals for Miguel’s as well? I would address and talk to family about my observations. I would also go over the expectations of a child of his age with family. Yes, his delays might be related to family and caregivers. If they do not allow him to walk or crawl on his own because of the potential of hazards of people stepping on him or falling over him.

    Reply
  • C. Munoz says:

    As Miguel’s Service coordinator, I would praise the family for a great team they make in caring for Miguel. I would build rapport with family, demonstrate good listening skills, and show empathy. I would ask child’s mom what her concerns are with child not walking yet and their goals for child communicating. If family states they would like for child to walk and start communication, then I would explain the observations I made. I would reassure that they are not doing anything wrong but are just lacking in giving child the opportunity. By taking family’s cultural beliefs into consideration, I would share my opinion on what I have observed and share suggestions on giving child the opportunity to meet his goals. I would explain that it is only a recommendation and family has every right to disagree. I think it is important to know how his delays were related to his caregiving and culture, because it helps to know how to address it.

    Reply
  • Favorite says:

    Thank you, Xochitl. Encouraging Miguel family to gather information about their cultural beliefs and typical children development from people from their culture can help them better understand how to help Miguel. Another consideration is to support them by researching developmental articles from their culture. This will help educate me as a service coordinator and the family to assist Miguel attain the milestone.

    Reply
  • S. B. says:

    If I was Miguel’s service provider, I would first provide a translator to make sure communication is completed correctly and make sure I understand their culture and beliefs. I would then try to familiarize myself with the culture so I would have an understanding. I would try to build rapport and trust with the family. I would ask the family what their concerns for Miguel and his development are. I will then gather information about the importance of stimulation to help with the child’s development. I would explain how it is important for the child to explore around the house, childproof the house, the importance of repeating sounds to the child. Then I would make sure the care team is all on the same page about Miguel’s development. Once everyone is on the same page, we would come up with a plan that would help us to our end goal of helping Miguel reach developmental milestones. I would make sure the family understands the important role they plan and how the environment may affect Miguel.

    Yes, it matters that Miguel’s delays may be related to his caregiving and culture. It is important to respect the family’s culture and beliefs, but also provide/educate them with resources and strategies related to their priorities.

    Reply
  • T.M. says:

    As the service coordinator, I would start by asking Miguel’s family about their expectations, priorities and concerns for his development. I would proceed with connecting the dots between their expectations and what is expected in American culture. This newfound information will assist the whole team with bridging any differences associated with the expectations. Throughout this entire process, we have to respect the family’s wishes while also providing information about what is being observed, so that they can make informed decisions about their next steps. This collaboration process will allow the parents to feel empowered, acknowledged and supported!

    Reply
  • Colleen says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider I would focus on his needs while ensuring that the family culture is not disrupted. I would work to help the parents with activities that would increase development while still staying true to the family culture.

    Reply
  • E.B says:

    As the service coordinator, I would start by asking Miguel’s family about their expectations, priorities and concerns for his development. Following the established desired outcomes and goals, I would then proceed with interconnecting their expectations and American culture expectations. By using this information, this will contribute and assist to providing information based on observations, and making informed decisions about their next step. Through collaboration, Families are about to feel empowered, acknowledged, and supported within their program

    Reply
  • J. C. says:

    It is important to consider the culture of the family when beginning our intervention relationship, so I would ask questions about their own backgrounds and beliefs. I would note the observations that I have seen and ask about those, as well. For example, I might say, ” I have noticed that you and your family carry Miguel frequently throughout the day. Tell me more about this.” I would not want to ask questions that put them on the defensive, but I would want to understand their daily routines. I think that it is important to discern the cause of developmental delays, as best we can. An environmental cause of a delay may not have anything to do with cultural background. Helping families to understand the importance of health, safety, nutrition, and exercise are important across cultures.

    Reply
  • Claudia Meza says:

    The first thing I would probably do is express how lucky Miguel is to have a such amazing family that love him so much. Comment on how I know they have Miguels best interest at heart. I would ask them what are their expectations and concerns for Miguel. After hearing what they say I would take that in consideration to assist me to be able to provide the best services for him. I would sit down with the family and come up with a plan together to better serve Miguel.

    Reply
  • Debra Campany says:

    Considering culturally differences and taking them into account, I would ask Miguel’s parents what expectations they have of their child. I would ask where there would like to see their child progressions in the future. Explain certain things have to develop and be enhanced in order to achieve their in expected results or expectations in the future.

    Reply
  • Maria Del Sol Tager Esquinca says:

    If I was Miguel’s provider, I would definitely share my observations with the family in a respectful way. I would let them know how important it is for him to develop autonomy, and not “guess” everything for him if we want him to start developing speech, then I would ask them what they think about it, and how much that can be compatible with their beliefs and culture. Sometimes, as parents we do not know what to do and are not aware of the importance of certain behaviors we might me displaying that could affect their healthy development, and it is my duty as an EIS to communicate honestly and respectfully with families and give them the choice to make an informed decision. Education from my end, as well as respect for their choices as parents.

    Reply
  • Petra says:

    If I was Miguel’s service provider, I would ask the family about their concerns and needs when it comes to his development. Then, I would share my observations with them while also considering their culture and values. Using the cultural information family shared with me would help me provide the appropriate intervention. I would always prioritize the family’s concerns before sharing more information about other developmental delays. At the end of the day, the family will have the final say in going forward in receiving services for their child.

    Reply
  • Radhika Agrawal says:

    If you were Miguel’s service provider, I would find out the source of referral and check with parents if they are in agreement with the concerns pointed out. If they agree, I would ask them their expectations and understand their ways of childrearing in their culture. I would discuss with them the age appropriate skills as per the American system, and beliefs. Then I would inform each child develops on his/her pace, and respecting your cultural beliefs we would work on it xyz way. For example if they are concerned of child’s safety and unclean floor therefore dont place the child down, we would create an environment with mats, and boundaries to help mitigate that concern while enabling child to practice walking. The strategies that can be used will be discussed with the family and then added to the IFSP plan. In the other scenario, if a parent doesn’t seem concerned and don’t feel the need for services, their wishes will be respected. As their provider would simply provide them culturally appropriate handouts if I have some and close the case after receiving parent’s formal consent.

    Reply
  • Samantha Ortega says:

    As the service coordinator, I would start by asking Miguel’s family about their expectations for me. What are your concerns for his development? What exactly are some skills you want from Miguel in your routine? I would observe their daily routine and skills they implement with Miguel. Inform the parents and other relatives they are doing a great job! I would gather more information on what their view of their child’s development and share what are American “norms” for early childhood development. I would share some examples of age appropriate skills as per the American system. Again reiterate, that I am totally understanding of their cultural beliefs and respect the families opinions. As for my job, I would inform the family about what strategies that I could help with and guide them to get them to where Miguel might be struggling in or only provide resources/tips and tricks for their needs. If the caregiver/parent doesn’t want to participate I have to respect that. They are the expert of their child at the end of the day.

    Reply
  • Karla says:

    Discuss with the family their concerns/needs/priorities in relation to his development; incorporate ideasthat
    build on the family’s strengths; learn more about what the family values

    Reply
  • Cynthia Ramirez says:

    If I were Miguel’s service provider I would support his family by hearing out what developmental concerns they have. I would listen to what they have to say then let them know what I observed during the visit. I would let them know that I understand and respect their cultural beliefs and would ask if they would be okay in incorporating or implementing certain skills with Miguel to help his development. I will let parents know how these skills will help Miguel achieve his developmental milestones. I do think caregiving and culture are related in the matter of delays because if you allow the child to explore or provide them certain skills they are able to achieve developmental growth unlike when you don’t allow them they are restricted to only achieving limited development.

    Reply

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