Changing name of special needs forum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One way to encourage both sides is "Children with Disabilities and Special Needs"

It appeases both sides, those who prefer one vs the other.

Prefer this as a parent of an ADHD child, which fills up a lot fo space on that board. I doubt many people would consider ADHD a disability.

If it's not a disability, then people with ADHD aren't entitled to 504s or IEPs. That's not the argument people make on this board.

But there’s a definition between the legal usage and the common usage. I am an adult with ArHD and bad allergies. Both fit the definition of disability under the ADA. But if I went around calling myself disabled, people would rightly scoff at me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a growing movement by disability advocates away from using euphemisms like special needs and actually using the word disability. Could you please change the name of the forum to reflect that? Parents of children with disabilities would be much better.

Two longer arguments for using the word disability: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2021/06/11/disabled-not-special-needs-experts-explain-why-never-use-term/7591024002/?fbclid=IwAR2uxZbLw-z-5WpAlD_5As0P2E8u8uuwVKfUZotrjbQrAL2Szv9wbzVv4s0 and https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kNMJaXuFuWQ

Strongly disagree. The special needs form is particularly helpful to families just discovering their kids have challenges. They are not necessarily prepared for the D word, nor know the positive political meaning that you mention, nor know what their child's issues are yet or where they're headed. Special needs is a more inclusive term.

Plus, I'm pretty sure the word Disability will cycle through and ultimately be rejected. I thought differently abled was under consideration, but in any case, that wouldn't be appropriate for a forum that should be as inclusive as possible to parents who need support and answers now.

Lastly, some special needs may not now or ever reach the level of a full disability. If a child has sleep challenges, are they disabled? Parents can get a lot of support and advice here for sleep issues. The disability label is irrelevant. What about speech articulation problems or stuttering. Kids with those challenges have specific needs that need addressing, but I wouldn't say they are necessarily disabled unless I know more about the whole person.

Jeff, please don't change the name. I might however suggest adding a forum for adults with disabilities...