Disability as opportunity for working with cultural principles in with Asian clients

CALD Disability Awareness Resource

eCALD Supplementary Resources

  • Family cohesion can be strengthened ("My husband and other children take part in household chores. They are also learning how to take care of my son...").
  • Strengths and resources in members of the family can be highlighted.
  • Family cohesion can be used to create growth and achievement (CHia-ho-wan-shih-hsing' – "a family in harmony can accomplish almost anything").
  • Taoist and Buddhist beliefs of compassion and benevolence can be emphasised.
  • Taoist principles of harmony and balance can encourage a balanced approach to managing family challenges.
  • Disability can evoke an increased awareness and appreciation for life (" ... it made me respect life more. I have become more understanding and more giving. My son has really made all of us grow as individuals, as a family").
  • Families can 'save face' by re-framing fateful or negative attitudes.

Quotes from (Chang & Hsu, p. 2352-4, 2007).

Cultural issues with hearing impairment presented to a counsellor. (part one)

Question for reflection

In this scenario, can you identify 6 issues that are relevant to working with disability in a family in the Chinese culture?

Cultural issues with hearing impairment presented to a counsellor. (part two)

Question for reflection

What strategies could you use to address some of these issues?