Can someone clarify something for me?

[ghosty]

Sorry to intrude on the SN section but I have recently I have been wondering about the 'terminology' used when people talk about special needs.

In a discussion with a friend of mine (well, acquaintance really) she was talking about "special needs children" (she has NT children so it was a general discussion about SN provision at our DC's school)
Anyway, I always thought that it sounds better (more PC if you like) that you say, "children with special needs" ... same with people who say "down's syndrome children" ... shouldn't it be "children with down's syndrome"?

I have no idea which is right or wrong ... only what sounds better to me ... and does it even matter? I think it does but I know how people get funny about things going over PC ...

Anyway, could someone set me straight?

Ta very much ..
ghosty x

[eidsvold]

i would say children with sn rather than sn children.

simply to recognise that they are children first iyswim

[coppertop]

I prefer "children with special needs" too for the same reason that eidsvold mentions.

[Fattymumma]

i would prefer children with Sn but i wouldn't be offended if i heard someone say "sn children"

but then again i try not to be over sensetive to little things like that as i hear things that would astound you quite frequentl;y so maybe i am being too forgiving

[coppertop]

[Twiglett]

anyhoo .. if its about a school decision shouldn't it be children with SEN

[Twiglett]

if its about a school situation not decision

but I still thought it should be Special Education Needs

I await correction and much guffawing at my naivety

[ghosty]

This is NZ remember Twig ... bit behind the times .... But yes, you are very very right. But there is an autistic boy at school so has he SN or SEN? Or both? I dunno ...

Yes, I like the children first, special needs second ... makes sense.

[Twiglett]

[tonic]

[Twiglett]

[ice 'n' a slice]

[Saturn74]

[Davros]

Ah but Ghosty, he is a child with autism, not an autistic boy!!! I know that it is PC and less offensive to use the construction Child (or even individual) with SN/SEN/ASD/DS etc but it really doesn't bother me and I often say it the other way round. In the UK children become "young people" at age 12 I think, then there is "looked after children" which has replaced "children in care" blah blah!!!

[ghosty]

Davros ... you got me ... boy with autism - yes ...