Exploring Cultural Influences on Developmental Disorders - Article Review Sample

Article Title

Norbury, C. F., & Sparks, A. J. D. p. (2013). Difference or disorder? Cultural issues in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders. 49(1), 45.

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Article purpose

The aim is to evaluate racial and cultural differences and their emotional impact on the diagnostics of developmental disorders. The authors classify specific language impairments and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on biological disorders, which entirely depend on behavior criteria for treatment and diagnosis. However, the article's researchers assert that cultural expectations and values influence unexpected or abnormal behavior. In short, abnormal behavior and decisions are influenced by expectations and values (Norbury & Sparks, 2013). It's evidenced by differences existing among various countries and ethnic groups around the globe in the rates of autism spectrum disorder. A cultural perspective is employed in this article to generate a proper understanding of developmental disorders.

The study's hypothesis or authors' claims in the article

According to (Norbury & Sparks, 2013), behavioral decisions are thought to be influenced by differences in expectations and values and linked directly. The researchers also claim that clinicians stand a chance to give differential diagnoses between SLI and ASD disorders. Theoretically, the two disorders have correspondence in biological, cognitive, and behavioral levels (Tomblin & Disorders, 2011). Besides, in the study, the researchers argue that culture shapes the standards that determine behavior acceptability. Different cultures have unique ways of determining acceptable behavior. The authors further claim that "the neurodiversity movement has been influential in advocating that autism spectrum disorder is variation occurring naturally in humans; hence it has to be categorized separately as a minority culture other than a disorder (Pellicano & Stears, 2011). The authors also proposed that in children who have specific language impairment compared to perceptual weaknesses their cognitive processing capacity is lower.

Variables covered in the article that influence abnormal behavior.

The researchers' variables used are race and culture. The relationship is drawn to show how the two-affect diagnosis of some disorders – SLI and ASD. The two variables cover every human being's life and hence perfect in delivering the results of the study. Besides, earlier research established that most "speech-language therapists" are middle-class, white, and English-speaking women (Norbury & Sparks, 2013). Cultural issues now arise due to this fact. The authors also show that most research covering developmental disorders originates from English-speaking countries in the Western region. It clearly shows that abnormal psychology knowledge and practice are predominantly in this region and the mentioned people.

The previous relevant studies on the research relevant to the article show historical significance

According to (Norbury & Sparks 2013), previous researchers concluded that middle-class English speech women mostly occupied the field of "speech-language" working as therapists. Besides, early research indicates that investigative research on developmental disorders predominantly in English-speaking countries in the West shows historical significance. Therefore, the studies on abnormal psychology have been mostly conducted in Western, English-speaking countries. The authors state that earlier investigations display differences in facial appearances in East Asia and Western Caucasians shaped by cultural differences (Kelly et al., 2011). Besides, earlier studies also imply differences in fixing eye regions of children due to social cognitive development (Norbury & Sparks, 2013).

Research Design employed in the study

The study employed a quantitative design. In the research, the target population was the people of Hackney, an impoverished region of England. Word of mouth and mostly narrations give information used in the study arising to quantitative research design. It's stated that in this region, however, only 65% of the citizens speak English as their only language. The study further proposes that there are more than 100 other languages spoken in Hackney apart from English, but standardized tests on such languages and their communication do not exist. Clinical practice was employed in the study. One-on-one interviews with clients show less engagement with dolls and plastic doll play in their homes to give further information.

Was the research ethically conducted? Why or why not?

The research was conducted ethically since the people in the study – Hackney, England, who were members of the medical practice had informed consent forms. All their paperwork was completed to prove their originality. However, I do believe that although the researchers did not mention it. On the other hand, the authors mentioned and ensured that all the information was kept confidential to preserve England's rights. Apart from England, the prevalence rates of autism are compared among various countries showing sources of information published over the past years. It covers major other countries such as China, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, and others (Norbury & Sparks, 2013). More so, the article's work is cited correctly from other previous research, which conforms to research and academic laws.

Outcomes of the study of the author's conclusions in the article

As a summary of their research, the authors concluded that cultural influences greatly impact autism spectrum disorder ASD and Specific Language Impairment disorders. Besides, they evaluate various cultures only to realize that several differences in communication, play, and family structures always affect children's diagnosis. For instance, the procedures and means of diagnosing a child in one culture may not function in other cultures due to differences in many factors (Norbury & Sparks, 2013). The authors also conclude that since cultural values influence decisions made about the treatment, clinicians should balance, understand, and define children's deficits and adapt to new environments. Clinicians should appreciate the differences in attending to children in different regions and cultures for flexibility. It's brought about by the differences in cultures across ethnic groups in a country and among countries.

References

Kelly, D. J., Liu, S., Rodger, H., Miellet, S., Ge, L., & Caldara, R. J. D. s. (2011). Developing cultural differences in face processing. 14(5), 1176-1184.

Norbury, C. F., & Sparks, A. J. D. p. (2013). Difference or disorder? Cultural issues in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders. 49(1), 45.

Pellicano, E., & Stears, M. J. A. r. (2011). Bridging autism, science, and society: moving toward an ethically informed approach to autism research. 4(4), 271-282.

Tomblin, B. J. I. J. o. L. & Disorders, C. (2011). Comorbidity of autism and SLI: kinds, kin, and complexity. 46(2), 127-137.