ABSTRACT
In order to understand what is neuropsychologically distinctive about Hispanics, there must be a clear definition of who they are and what differentiates them from other ethnic groups in the United States. History, culture, demographics, and language make Hispanics a unique group within the mosaic of U.S. society. Yet, this uniqueness requires an appreciation of their vast diversity. This diversity begins with the most practical of questions: What should this group be called? As noted later, ethnic labels are not inclusive. The history, culture, and demography of the various peoples referred to as Hispanic are kaleidoscopic. A brief review is followed by a consideration of the question of language as it relates to assessment. What language do Hispanics speak and how does it affect the clinical interaction? This basic information provides the groundwork for the discussion of the various issues that matter most to clinicians in the subsequent chapters.
