Neuropsychological assessment of Asian Americans: demographic factors, cultural diversity, and practical guidelines

Asian Americans belong to 1 of the most rapidly growing ethnic minority groups in the United States. Clinical neuropsychologists unfamiliar with Asian American peoples and cultures may not be able to perform an adequate evaluation with an individual of Asian descent because of lack of understanding of how cultural variables might affect the assessment. This article attempts to provide some basic knowledge and principles by which to guide neuropsychologists who might work with an Asian American patient by (a) familiarizing the reader with basic information and descriptions of some of the major specific Asian subgroups, (b) providing a context within which neuropsychological test selection and interpretation can be adjusted to account for cultural and linguistic factors, and (c) providing practical suggestions for working with Asian American clients in a neuropsychological setting.