"Special" Glossary Post
What makes the word “special” less insulting than the word “retard” or any other derogatory slur used to describe those with cognitive disabilities? “Special” can be seen just as exclusive as the rest of the descriptive terms. Exclusivity creates an environment that limits those with cognitive disabilities due to a lack of experience with people without a disability. When this separation happens, people without disabilities tend to judge and get the wrong idea about those who are disabled. Many naïve people use generalizing and labeling terms to describe the cognitively challenged population. These terms cause arguments between the disabled community and the rest of society. The arguments center on preferred names or associations with a disability, and how offense may be taken from specific diction. The debates of special vs. the “R” word or any other controversial word to describe the developmentally challenged are ongoing and inclusive word changes (the most recent; eliminating the “R word” and mentally challenged) are made as society makes adjustments itself.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines the word “special” in two main ways. The first, “to exceed or excel in someway.” This is clearly a positive use of the word that no one should ever have an issue being associated with. The other main use specifically describes a person as “marked off from others in a weakened sense.” It elaborates this definition as “limited or restricted in thought and physical capabilities.” (Oxford English Dictionary n.p 9/7/13) .web) No one wants to be described by the latter whenever someone calls he/she “special” in a negative sense. It’s very offensive to call someone “special” when even when you intentionally insult him/her. Such descriptions are why the word has been slowly eliminating “special” from everyday speech over the last 40 years.
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In the 1970’s, when people with disabilities started being protected equally under the law, the use of the word “special,” using statistical analysis, was shown to have hit a maximum partially due to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, enacted in 1975. Since then, the word has slowly dropped off in popularity each decade due to the Americans with Disabilities Act from 1990.
This is somewhat misleading because in a more refined search to specify uses (primarily negative) to include “special needs” and “special education,” we actually see a spike in usage. (Google Ngram Viewer n.p 9/11/13 .web) An issue here is the intended response of government influence to change word usage when making disability laws was to not single out members of the disabled community. The goal was to integrate them more easily with societies standards, yet they label those with disabilities in social settings. This trend to use the word “special” in association with “needs” or “education” has continued and has been the preferred term by some referring to those with cognitive disabilities since it isn’t perceived as harsh as other words. “Special” is the new preferred word of many friends, parents, caretakers and those with the disability, due to derogatory uses and perceptions of the words “retarded, or “spastic.” The following link will take you to the discussions regarding the “R” word and its usage debates (http://definingdisability.weebly.com/retard.html). Also seen in use is “developmentally challenged.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_retardation n.p 9/14/13 .web) Some people prefer this term because it illustrates that those challenged just take longer to reach full potential, rather than never reaching it.
I was lucky enough to have a positive experience with someone who could have been described by the second definition described earlier as a person “limited or restricted in thought or physical capabilities” due to his cognitive disability. Throughout elementary school, there was a boy in my inclusion class (included those with developmental challenges with those that didn’t) that was labeled “special.” He befriended me, but other kids would steer clear of him. He was a nice guy that suffered socially because of his disability. This boy was always invited to my birthday parties, and we’d have the occasional play-date. Other kids would make fun of him, but he could always count on me to stick up for him. I saw him as I would any other friend, normal. I always extended an invitation to join, which was something he wasn’t used to. His mother reached out to me when we graduated from elementary school and thanked me for looking out for him, showing him what a real friend is, and most importantly what it felt to be included. Being included is a main argument of those that have a disability. Clay Aiken was quoted saying “Inclusion is extremely important for kids with and without disabilities.” (http://www.inclusionproject.org/for-programs/what-is-inclusion/.The national inclusion project. n.p. 9/25/13 .web) Just because someone is labeled and separated from societal norms doesn’t mean it’s right. My experience parallel’s what the National Inclusion Project does and shows how inclusion can affect someone labeled “special.” Clay started The National Inclusion Project to integrate kids with and without disabilities. The mission statement of the charity is “to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them. We partner with communities and inclusive programs creating awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.” Everyone, no matter what background, should be included and accepted by society.
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Though some people with cognitive disabilities like the word “special,” there are those that don’t, and see it the way I see it, as insulting and exclusive. The Special Olympics is an example of how the word “special” is accepted, however it highlights the abilities of its athletes rather than focusing on their disabilities. If the word “special” is used in a positive and inclusive sense like it is with the Special Olympics, then many debates over “special” wouldn’t happen and inclusion wouldn’t be a problem. The Special Olympic athletes take pride in their accomplishments and their association with the word “special;” however, not everyone with the disability does. Just because “special” is a general term used in everyday speech, doesn’t mean all people with cognitive disabilities want to be associated with the word, and the exclusion that tends to come with it.