Why is there a growing number of ELL students with learning delays, being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or qualifying for Special Education?

Anderson, H. Why is there a growing number of ELL students with learning delays, being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or qualifying for Special Education? (2020) The research question addressed in this project was why is there a growing number of ELL students with learning delays, being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or qualifying for Special Education? The research focused on English language learner’s social, emotional and academic needs. The research provides information on cultural and linguistic awareness, and the importance of how cultural and language needs to be recognized in the criteria for assessing or evaluating English language learners for Special Education. The research is grouped into four subtopics: English Language Learners, Cultural Awareness, Trauma, and English Language Learners and Special Education. The project created from the research are four professional development presentations each one providing information from the four subtopics. The professional developments will benefit anyone who works with English language learners. Teachers will be empowered to look more at how cultural and language affects learning and will gain knowledge on best practices on how to teach English language learners. The goal is to provide teachers with more background and knowledge so that they will understand how English language learners learn and not assume they have a learning delay, thus eliminating over-representing English language learners in special education. (220 words