Language Disabilities in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

This book fills a significant gap in the current literature in an original and stimulating way. Deirdre Martin was among those who recognised at an early stage that professionals such as speech and language therapists and teachers would need to develop better strategies for working with children with communication and interaction needs who were learning English as an additional language.

-- Tony Cline

This volume offers a nuanced account of language related disabilities in culturally and linguistically diverse contexts. It invites a critical rethink of key theoretical and methodological issues regarding multilingualism and communication disorders. It also provides practical advice to professionals and parents who have to deal with real-life situations on a daily basis.

-- Professor Li Wei, Birkbeck College, University of London

I must say that it's been difficult for me to put this book down. This is a great book. I like how Martin has interconnected the various strands of research on bilingual children and their clinical management in speech therapy with the underlying sociocultural/sociopolitical subtext of speech services to these children.

-- Jose Centeno, St. John's University, USA

This book uses Vygotskian and Sociocultural perspectives to explore issues related to Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and language disabilities, and considers a wide range of client groups. It is a very thought-provoking and interesting read which is high on theory and Iowan practicality. (If you want a 'how to' book, this is definitely not for you!) Overall the book is complex to read, but well worth the effort if your caseload includes clients with cultural and linguistic diversity and you have a need for a good grounding in the issues that may arise. It will appeal to therapists already working in this specialist field or those wishing to develop a specialism in this area.

-- Linda Robinson, a highly specialist speech and language therapist with Barnsley Primary Care Trust * Speech and Language Therapy in Practice, Autumn 20