Critical realist discourse analysis of Chinese parents of children with dyslexia

Abstract

There is a dearth of research concerning parental discourses on dyslexic children and the particular educational context in which they occur. Dyslexia can be viewed as a socially constructed condition, different from its medical definition. Critical realist discourse analysis (CRDA), which emphasises the discovery of the underlying structure and causation of observed events, can facilitate the exploration of its complexities and the multiple underlying mechanisms at work. This article reports on a study, using CRDA to reveal stories that are rarely heard, the interacting factors embedded in the school environment, and the implications for social work practices.