Multicultural Diversity and Special Educational Needs

• Published in: Implementing Inclusive Education: Issues in Bridging the Policy-Practice Gap Vol. 8; pp. 137 - 158
• Main Authors: Lindsay, Geoff, Shah, Sonali, Kyriazopoulou, Mary
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01-01-2016
• Subjects: Education; Inclusion/exclusion in education; learning difficulties; migration; inclusion; immigration; multiculturalism; Special educational needs; ethnic diversity
• ISBN: 9781786353887; 1786353881
• ISSN: 1479-3636
• DOI: 10.1108/S1479-363620160000008009

Abstract
Multicultural and multi-ethnic diversity is increasing across Europe. The current influx of migrants from conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq makes the issue even more important and challenging. Consequently, how we consider the identification of special educational needs (SEN) and then the making of appropriate provision to meet those needs must change. In this chapter we examine the interface between these important factors – SEN and ethnic origin. We draw upon two research programmes in order to highlight these issues. First, we examine large-scale studies using quantitative methods to explore the relationship between ethnicity and different categories of SEN. Second, we report research that uses qualitative methods, exploring the perspectives of children and young people with SEN, growing up in multicultural United Kingdom. Although these research studies were carried out in the United Kingdom, they have resonance across Europe, and beyond.