School psychology and special education in Mexico: An introduction for practitioners

Very little information is currently available to practising school psychol ogists regarding the educational experience of individuals whose home count ry is Mexico. This limitation is particularly true for practitioners attemp ting to learn about school psychology and special education services which might have been received in Mexico. The number of school-age children who i mmigrate from Mexico to other countries each year highlights the importance of a shared understanding of available services. This article provides pra ctising school psychologists with an introduction to school psychology and special education services in Mexico. Information gained from a review of t he available literature, in-depth interviews with special education adminis trators working in Mexico and tours of facilities throughout the nation is presented. While focusing on Mexico, the information gathering procedures u tilized in the present study may serve as a model for practitioners from va rious nations who serve populations of children for whom immigration and a lack of understanding of previous educational services are an issue.