The term’special needs’ is an ineffective euphemism because it has become a dysphemism. As a dysphemism, special needs begins as a euphemism and inevitably becomes something else, more negative than what the original meaning of the term was. Many contemporary slurs of minority groups started as euphemisms, a process Pinker calls the ‘euphemism treadmill.’
Disproportionality in special education
Although it is difficult to prove, disproportionality in special education can be traced to factors such as socioeconomic status. Studies show that children from low-income families are more likely to be diagnosed with learning disabilities and receive special education services. These children also tend to be placed in classrooms with lowered expectations, which may not set them up for success. In addition, the placement of students with disabilities is related to the school’s demographics.
The disproportionality of students with disabilities is often a result of inadequate resources and low-quality programs. Inequitable access to high-quality school practices, including the implementation of tiered interventions, can lead to misidentification of disabilities and overrepresentation of students with disciplinary issues. However, disproportionality is an ongoing concern in special education, and IDEA’s regulations encourage states to address it.
The State Education Department has identified certain school districts that have significant disproportionality in the identification of students with disabilities. The state education agency is required to ensure the legal right of every student to a free, appropriate, and appropriate education. The disproportionality process begins with state policies and procedures that ensure specific data is collected and action is taken if there is significant disproportionality. Depending on the circumstances of the school district, it may take years or even decades to address the issue.
The Federal Office of Special Education Programs issued a memorandum on 4/07, which required states to conduct a more thorough examination of disproportionality in special education. This document highlights the implementation of a strategic planning and assessment process that should be carried out to eliminate disproportionality. The National Center for Culturally Responsive Education Systems developed an assessment tool that is used by OSPI. This assessment tool was designed to measure the amount of disproportionality in special education.
Using euphemisms
Using euphemisms for children with special needs is ineffective and has become a common slur. Over time, this euphemism will become a dysphemism — a word that begins as a euphemism but ends up being more negative than its original meaning. Examples of dysphemisms include ‘dumb,’ ‘handicapped’, and ‘deaf.’ It is no more effective than the word disability itself.
The research question, a real-world problem, was born from the need to find out if euphemisms for children with special needs are more effective than the term disability. The research question emerged out of a real-world problem: the euphemism special needs is associated with more negative associations than the non-euphemism. Hence, it is important to investigate the effectiveness of euphemisms for children with special needs and to change the language that labels them.
Among participants, those who have a personal connection to children with disabilities produced fewer positive associations with euphemism special needs. However, personal connections to the disability did not enhance the positive associations of euphemism special needs. The study results show that participants associate different types of disabilities with different types of euphemisms for children with special needs.
The words disability and special needs are both patronizing terms. It suggests that people with disabilities are more deserving of our attention than others. But it does not mean that students with disabilities are more deserving of the attention that their peers receive. In fact, this word is often used in legislation that protects the rights of people with disabilities. And we should stop using euphemisms for these words.
Legality of euphemisms
Despite the use of euphemisms in the general vernacular, some argue that they are problematic for children in special education. Adams explains that euphemisms are often just the opposite of what they are supposed to be. They make a concept sound nice, but they are actually a way to dramatize its negative connotations.
Although euphemisms are intended to put a positive spin on words, some are actually ineffective. In one study, a study was conducted to examine whether the term special needs actually worked in reducing stigma and discrimination. Although most style guides discourage the use of euphemisms, a number of parents still prefer it to other terms.
Impact of euphemisms on diagnosis
Many words related to disabilities end up on the euphemism treadmill. While they begin as polite medical jargon, they quickly turn pejorative. The negative associations of the word disability are a result of the ableism that permeates society. Words such as handicapped and disabled often evoke more negative associations than the original word. To combat this negative association, it is better to change the term from special needs to disability.
The research question came about from an existing real-world problem: what are the implications of euphemisms on the diagnosis of children with disabilities? We found that the term «special needs» is often used to exclude people with disabilities and make them feel less valued in communities. In particular, children with disabilities are often left out of sports teams, daycare centers, and schools, and are not as likely to be hired for a job because they are labeled as «special.»
In the past, euphemisms were used to prevent stigma and discrimination. Using the term «in the family way» to describe a child with developmental delays was a common example. Using the phrase «in the family way» to describe a child with Down syndrome was an euphemism that made it acceptable to use the term in public.
Another example of a euphemism used in the medical community was «developmental delay.» This term had the same meaning as «retard,» but lacked the precision of the former. This generic term was widely used by professionals when there was no clear diagnostic term for the child’s condition. Besides, it was less risky than a more definitive term. For instance, some professionals used «developmental delay» for children under five, but switched to the more positive and descriptive term, «intellectual disability.»
Newfoundland and Labrador, Colorado, Iran, and New York City are all great places to raise a child with autism. But which one is the best? And how can families find support and training? The World Health Organisation suggests asking three fundamental questions:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is home to the highest rate of children diagnosed with autism, according to a recent report. The report used data from seven provinces — Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Yukon. Among those provinces, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest rate of ASD, while Prince Edward Island had the lowest rate.
The town’s autism-friendly environment was inspired by a local support group for parents of children with autism. The town of Channel-Port aux Basques is typical of a small Newfoundland town; passing strangers say «hello» to people, drivers stop to wave, and pedestrians who jaywalk are often greeted by motorists. Newfoundlanders are known for being friendly, but Channel-Port aux Basques residents took the quality of human kindness to new heights.
Two women from Cornerbrook helped turn a sleepy fishing town with zero resources into the best country to raise a child with the disability. These women have since organized autism services in their towns. The results have been dramatic and positive. This provincial initiative, known as AIM, is transforming the province’s society by making it a better place for children with autism.
Parents of children with autism wish their kids to feel accepted and happy. In the small town of Channel-Port aux Basques, ASD has become a part of everyday life, with fourteen out of 300 children in an elementary school diagnosed with ASD. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, ASD affects one in every 66 children. Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada has the highest rate.
New York City
A recent study by the nonprofit Autism Speaks ranked New York City as the best country to raise a child with disabilities. It measured various factors, such as availability of resources for families with children with autism, employment flexibility, and respite care for parents. It also evaluated the experiences of 800 people affected by autism. New York City scored high in both categories. This report is not intended to replace any other research or guide, but it does provide an idea of what the best places are in the country for raising a child with autism.
According to the CDC, one out of every 150 children in New York City has autism. Discovering the condition at a young age is a very challenging process, requiring precision and care on behalf of parents and educators. As a result, New Jersey offers superior school systems, legislation, and programs for children with autism. This is why New York is ranked the best country to raise a child with autism.
Parents will appreciate that many tourist spots and recreational centers have activities specifically for children with autism. Oftentimes, parents are concerned about the safety and comfort of their child, so they prefer to visit places that have special facilities. Moreover, a trip to New York City provides a great opportunity for parents and their children to interact and have fun. In addition, the special needs children can enjoy activities while interacting with other children with autism.
The first Autism Supportive County in the United States is Dutchess County. The program is an integrated co-teaching program that targets children with autism. It includes a variety of attractions and tourist sites, including the Walkway Over the Hudson. This is a beautiful and therapeutic place, and special training is provided for the staff to ensure that the experience is beneficial for the children.
Parents should not settle for less than the best for their children. With increased awareness and acceptance of autism, the New Jersey Special Education Parent Advisory Council is trying to make connections with community agencies and educate city families with children with disabilities. Turner, a parent liaison for the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, remembers one time she watched a TV news story about an educational seminar for families of disabled children. The parents and children were predominantly white and Caucasian.
Colorado
One of the biggest reasons why Colorado is the best country to raise a kid with autism is the accessibility of services and the general attitude toward autistic children. Compared to other states, where people may not have understood Spencer, Colorado’s residents were more accepting of him. In the past decade, more families from different states have moved to Colorado. According to autism parents’ association Autism Vision of Colorado, the state has received many new families from California. This trend may be related to stricter insurance mandates in the state, as well as the availability of Medicaid waivers in the state.
In addition to being the best place to raise a child with autism, Colorado is also the best state for autism treatment. According to the National Autistic Society, Colorado has the most resources per capita for families raising children with autism. The state is also the most likely to have a fully functioning ADDM network and a high level of support from local and state governments. The state also offers more affordable medical care than other states.
As a parent, you can ensure your child’s education by looking for specialized programs. Colorado’s state laws require public schools to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each child with autism. These plans explain the child’s condition, the appropriate teaching methods, and the goals for the school year. The IEP is a living document that can be amended based on the progress of the child and the needs of the family. The school also should have a comprehensive anti-bullying policy.
In addition to receiving comprehensive autism treatments, Colorado also has a strong educational system. Children with ASD often do better in public schools than in private schools. In addition, there are many public programs for children with autism. Many of these programs are free or low-cost. Parents should explore the resources available and use common sense to choose a school that suits their child’s needs. When choosing the school, parents should keep in mind their child’s age, special needs, and personality.
Iran
Currently, there is no government organization dedicated to helping families with children suffering from autism or other developmental disabilities. In Iran, however, the Iranian Autism Association provides counseling and other services to families with autistic children. The Iranian Special Education Organisation (ISEO) provides state-funded special schools for children with severe disabilities, but many parents choose to have their children attend private schools and arrange private therapy on their own. The Iranian State Welfare Organization also provides day centre placements for severely affected children, though these are only available in large cities and are generally reserved for wealthy families. Adult services are mostly private and voluntary and rely heavily on parental fees.
Iranian culture may play an important role in the development of ASD. Fathers are considered to be strong and less emotional than mothers, which means that the Iranian father’s role in raising a child with ASD may differ from the norm in their country. In addition, Iranian fathers often dedicate much of their time to financial issues, which can be challenging for both parents. But, according to a new study by Samadi and colleagues, Iranian parents are the best place to raise a child with ASD.
Iranian authorities have also put in place special day care centers for autistic children. These facilities are vital for these children, because they cannot be properly met in traditional schools. However, Iran does not provide such facilities, so children with autism are often excluded from society. This leaves them with few options and often suffer from severe social isolation. In addition, many parents in Iran are unaware of the existence of autism.
Because of the culture of Iranian society, early identification of children with autism is highly recommended. Various screening tools for autism spectrum disorders are available, but most were developed in English-speaking countries. A study conducted in Iran aimed to detect early signs of autism in Iranian society. It included interviews of parents of 623 children aged three to seven years old who were considered at high risk for developing autism. Two screening instruments were developed based on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale and a set of developmental indicators.