Anonymous wrote:I still think the example someone posted earlier - a kid who needs OT for handwriting, or PT for low mouth muscle control related to speech - I dont think either rise to the level of a neurodiversity or neurodiversion, and there’s no disability. Some people or kids just have additional or different or, horrors, special needs compared to the general population. And when it comes down to it, aren’t 99 percent of the posts on this forum asking for help to respond to their kid’s particular different needs? Seems like the forum thread is far more inclusive than what the critics are offering as an alternative.

+1, the OP of this thread seems to want to center neurodiversity as the ONLY special need outside of disability, which is weird because of course there are other special needs.

Also lots of posts on this thread are from parents who don't know if their kid is ND or there might be another problem -- they are looking for help getting diagnosed or finding the right kind of specialist, or they've seen a specialist and didn't get a diagnosis and need next steps. I think trying to narrowly define "special needs" as neurodiversity winds up gatekeeping in this weird way. Like "ADHD or ASD or get out." But obviously the questions peopel have are broader than that.

I still think the example someone posted earlier - a kid who needs OT for handwriting, or PT for low mouth muscle control related to speech - I dont think either rise to the level of a neurodiversity or neurodiversion, and there’s no disability. Some people or kids just have additional or different or, horrors, special needs compared to the general population. And when it comes down to it, aren’t 99 percent of the posts on this forum asking for help to respond to their kid’s particular different needs? Seems like the forum thread is far more inclusive than what the critics are offering as an alternative.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is important for you all to know what neurodivergent means. Neurodiversity includes everyone, even typical developing children.

Neurodivergent and neurodiverse do not mean the same thing. Neurodiverse encompasses everyone - the full diversity of development. Neurodivergent refers specifically to those who diverge from the norm - anyone NOT typical. ND as an abbreviation refers to neurodivergent, not neurodiverse.

Not PP and I understand this distinction, but after some experiences with my ND daughter (I also have ADHD so I am ND as well) in the last couple years, and some conversations I've had with a variety of people in the field, I think it will be obsolete in less than a decade.

The question that has started coming up and is becoming harder to answer is "what is a neurotypical brain" and we are seeing more evidence that it may not exist. This doesn't mean everyone has ADHD or autism or OCD -- while there is a spectrum, there are people who are all the way on the far end of it and simply do not have the brain chemistry that would qualify them for even a mild diagnosis.

What it does mean is that we are still learning even rudimentary things about the way brains work, how they are wired and predisposed for not just ADHD and ASD but also things like chronic depression or dysthymia, plus we are learning about how traumatic events can impact brains in permanent ways via PTSD and complex PTSD.

I think in the future the designation "neurodivergent" will have little meaning. We will accept that all people have unique neurology and some of these people can be grouped under certain designations like ADHD or ASD, and I also expect we will see other groupings emerge as the understanding and treatment of some of these other issues develop.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is important for you all to know what neurodivergent means. Neurodiversity includes everyone, even typical developing children.

Neurodivergent and neurodiverse do not mean the same thing. Neurodiverse encompasses everyone - the full diversity of development. Neurodivergent refers specifically to those who diverge from the norm - anyone NOT typical. ND as an abbreviation refers to neurodivergent, not neurodiverse.

That is what I said. I defined neurodiversity because the poster mentioned neurodiversity only.

You know, I’m not a huge one for labels and word policing. But I like “Neurodiverdity and Disabilities.” I think it really perfects the last change where posters with kids who had non-neuro issues wanted more clarity and requested to add “disabilities.” I think it works.

The other possibility is to just call it “Advanced Parenting.” Parenting for when your kid diverges from the “normal” path. (Inspired by recent book of that title.)

Anonymous wrote:It is important for you all to know what neurodivergent means. Neurodiversity includes everyone, even typical developing children.

Neurodivergent and neurodiverse do not mean the same thing. Neurodiverse encompasses everyone - the full diversity of development. Neurodivergent refers specifically to those who diverge from the norm - anyone NOT typical. ND as an abbreviation refers to neurodivergent, not neurodiverse.

It is important for you all to know what neurodivergent means. Neurodiversity includes everyone, even typical developing children.

Special education is increasingly getting pushback for the terms we use. Including the name. You may be able to speak for your child now but in the future they may resent you. Disability isn’t a bad word. What is bad is that there aren’t enough people advocating for these children who become adults.


Also ADHD is a disability, please those of you saying it’s not are perpetuating a harmful stereotype and it makes it harder to receive the deserved accommodations.

I guess it depends on what the purpose of this forum is. If it is for issues regarding kids with disabilities (as defined under the ADA/Rehab Act/IDEA). If it is also intended to encompass some other sort of special needs (like giftedness), then perhaps leaving it as is makes sense.
I'm not sure why people with ADHD would not consider themselves to have a disability, unless it is so mild that it does not does not limit or impair any life activities. But if that were the case, there would be no need for accommodations at school.

I have no issue with the term special needs. I don't need a name change to make me feel better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Special needs only has a negative connotation because jerks have historically used it as an insult. I think it's better than "disabilities" which clearly implies a deficit or being less than. I am in favor of reclaiming/embracing "special needs"

There really isn't going to be a better term that includes the same people.

Are you disabled? Because disability rights advocates don't agree with you and prefer the word disability over special needs. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/disability-pride-month-july-2022/

And since disabilities is already in the title, they should be satisfied. They can go forward with the knowledge that the special needs part is for others.

See how simple that is.

Forum title is fine as is. The endless loops about this stuff too much. Five minutes later they'll want to change it again.

I agree with this. The name is fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Special needs is outdated. It’s a terrible term. Kids with disabilities is fine.

I disagree that it is outdated.

Kids have all different things going on and until they are 4 or so, some things aren't labeled disabilities and just delays. The so called advocates don't speak for everyone and are often looking for their five minutes of fame.

There are certain conditions/situations where it is empowering to embrace as part of your identity, because while you may be able to get treatment to help with functioning, it will always be a part of you. There are other conditions that may be very impairing but are also treatable where it may be less helpful to make it part of your identity and embrace (not to say you keep it a secret). Both of these groups have special needs but the first might be more likely to identify as having a disability.