THE LANGUAGE OF THE
SPECIAL NEEDS
COMMUNITY
by Gina Kiyuna
Teacher of the Deaf
Knowing what to say and how to say it
can be a daunting task when talking with people
who have special needs in their families.
Do I say mentally retarded or developmentally disabled? Is it hearing impaired, deaf-dumb, mute or just deaf? Slow? Physically challenged? Indeed, all these terms can make anyone linguistically challenged.
Using the appropriate words goes far beyond being politically correct. The language we use when it comes to the special needs community can open or shut down the lines of communication. Therefore, we need to have a basic knowledge of what it means to have special needs, and how those needs are addressed. There are many phrases and terms in our language that can be demeaning without us even realizing it. While our country can boast about providing more opportunities for people with disabilities than anywhere in the world, the fact remains that many people in our society still regard people with disabilities and special needs as people who are "not normal." For many parents and professionals, this stigma is difficult to overcome, making it difficult to deal with disabilities and difficult to identify the needs. So how do I be sensitive? When talking to or about a person with special needs -- think of the person first. When you think of a person (child or adult) with special needs, what do you see? Do you see only their limitations and the things they can't do? Look beyond the disability. Look at what they can do. Take interest in the person as a whole, not just their disability. A child with Down Syndrome or cerebral palsy is not just "A Down's kid" or a "CP kid." He or she is a child with favorite toys, foods, sports, who just happens to have Down Syndrome or cerebral palsy. Be sensitive and think of the person first, describe them by their strengths, mention their disability as something they have vs. something they are. Be careful in comparing children who have special needs with their more typical peers, this can lead to labeling and emphasizing weakness. Instead, look for strengths and ways that all children share similarities. Being sensitive in the language we use is vital to keeping open lines of communication when working with people who have special needs and their families. Being sensitive does not mean to ignore the disabilities, but rather to focus on the people. In this way, we can be better equipped as we strive to meet their needs.