Australian indigenous children with low cognitive ability: Family and cultural participation

John Gilroy; Eric Emerson

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.011

Australian indigenous children with low cognitive ability: Family and cultural participation

Res Dev Disabil. 2016 Sep:56:117-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.011. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

Authors

John Gilroy¹, Eric Emerson²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: John.gilroy@sydney.edu.au.
² Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: eric.emerson@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 27286466
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.011

Abstract

Family and cultural inclusion are essential for the healthy development of young Australian Indigenous peoples with low cognitive ability. To date, this issue has received limited research attention. A secondary analysis of data collected in Wave 4 of Footprints in Time, Australia's Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children, was conducted to help address this research gap. The study results indicated that in some areas, Indigenous children with low cognitive ability are at a higher risk of social exclusion than their peers. We discuss the policy implications of these findings with regards to addressing Indigenous disadvantage.

Keywords: Children; Indigenous; Low cognitive ability; Participation.

MeSH terms

Australia
Child
Child, Preschool
Cognitive Dysfunction*
Culture*
Family Relations / ethnology*
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander / ethnology*
Psychological Distance*
Social Participation*