Special Needs - I don't really know what it means?

[Idontknow]

I have changed my name for this, I really do not want to offend anybody but I read some of the Special Needs threads and I don't really know what special needs means . Is it physical disability, mental disability or both? What does AS stand for, what are the speech problems/noise problems you discuss. Please don't think I am being stupid its just that I have been to lots of baby/child groups etc and all kids are different but I have never thought 'Oh that one has special needs and is different to the rest'. Please, please, please do not take offence its just that I wasnt to understand so I don't inadvertently upset somebody by making a thoughtless comment.

Idontknow, I have learned an enormous amount about special needs simply from reading the SN threads. AFAIK "special needs" can cover any sort of physical or mental "disability" (don't know if disability is the correct term and I'm not an SN mum!). AS stands for Aspergers Syndrome (correct me if I'm wrong), a type of autism.

AS could also stand for "autistic spectrum" I think.

Isuppose it just means any child that has a need that is beyond the NT (neuro-typical child) so could mean physical or mental needs

AS stands for Autistic Spectrum

I'm sure no-one would take offence and don'tthink you needed to change your name .. I've asked similar questions before

ahh .. think I messed up there .. NT probably relates to mental disability only .. as a child with physical disabilities can be NT

gosh this is a minefield

It's a very sensible question, Idontknow. Certainly not likely to cause offence.

Special Needs can mean any kind of needs that are different to an average/'normal'/NT child. Some Special Needs can be permanent, eg autism (often referred to as ASD) is a lifelong SN. Others can be temporary, eg a child who has a language delay but catches up after SALT (speech and language therapy). AS is usually used as an abbreviation of Aspergers Syndrome.

Feel free to ask away if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to help if I can.

There is certainly no problem with asking those questions. They are good questions.

If more people asked, more people would be aware of special needs wouldnt they?

My understanding (as a teacher, but not an SN specialist) is that SN means any child who needs to have their requirements looked at individually. Obviously in an ideal world that means ALL of them, but basically any case where you have to say 'OK, X is going to have problem in working with the rest of the class, what are we going to do about it?'

For example in my year 7 English group last year, that included a boy with very limited reading & writing skills, another boy with behavioural problems (ADHD) & a girl with a serious eyesight problem.

It doesn't have to mean even a 'disability' or problem I don't think - for example a child might get extra help in English because his/her first language is something else...

Idon'tknow:
No need at all to worry that you might offend someone, or that anyone might think you stupid
I suppose 'Special needs' means children who need extra special help for conditions which mean they can't function in mainstream education or out on their own in the big bad world, for instance, or have physical or sensory impairments which can't be rectified by simple means like a pair of galsses.

Special Needs (SN) tends to include 'disability', which can be physical, sensory (e.g visual or hearing impairment), or 'cognitive' - also called learning difficulties, or learning disability.

Some SN arise from neurological problems, such as autism

NT: Neurologically Typical
DS: Down's Syndrome
AS: Aspergers Syndrome (an autistic spectrum disorder)
ADHD: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
SALT: Speech and Language Therapist
AFO: Ankle/Foot Orthotic
(beginning to see why no-one would think anyone was stupid for not knowing what it all is? )

For me, SN does not include the little idiosyncracies or differences in ability which are at either end of 'average'. It is as a result of a particular condition. I do often use the word 'difference' because at the moment, i'm not sure whether my DS's lack of a fibula etc really is going to mean that he is 'disabled' - or simply a bit of a one-off model!

Hope this helps. Others may have a clearer - or different explanation than me - but whenever you are interested and are not sure what someone means, it will never cause upset or offence to ask. Honest!

I like 'one-off model' Blu

Idontknow, I don't think it was a stupid question. I wasn't really sure either. When I was at school I don't remember anybody having 'special needs' but from reading the definitions there were some in my classes but we just didn't see any differences being children. Thank you for asking.

luckymum

dx: diagnosis
DLA: Disability Living Allowance

I don't think it's a silly question at all. In fact I think it's great that you actually asked. Out yourself!

In schools Special needs covers any child needing exrea help. About 15% of kids will be on the SN regester (most at School action level) at some point in their school days.

Gosh you couldn't possibly offend anyone by wanting to know more and understand stuff, bless you. I refer to Lottie having SN (special needs) as I much prefer that to using the word disabled which implies to me she is unable to do things, not able bodied enough, which she isn't. Well actually she is, because she can't walk, but she will, so I prefer special needs.

Well done for asking and wanting to understand.

I thank you all for your information. I have read the thread 'what special needs does your child have' and it has totally humbled me. I think your children are so beatiful and your stories are awe inspiring. BH your dd has such intellect - how else can a dd ask a question like that without being observant, intelligent and amazing, she is otherwise it's not possible.
Thank you for telling me.
x.

Idon'tknow - thank you for your lovely comments about dd. You are right as dd does have a high IQ. I find thisis amazing seeing as she has significant communciation problems.
I didn't know anything about special needs until I had dd and is wasn't part of my world.
I think you are such a lovely person for making the effort to try and find out. xxx

Haven't been on here as much recently and I have a bit of "catching up" to do. But I must comment on your question Idontknow!!
Why on earth feel that you should know, or feel embarressed about your "lack of knowledge!" I can honestly say that until I had my dd (who has DS! confusing ) I had very little knowledge about any form of disability/SN.
It is the fact that you can be bothered to ask, to find out a little more that makes you the person that you are.
You are right, the stories on here are amazing, the support on here is amazing. TBH if I saw this site before I had dd I may have never posted. But when I saw the support on the SN thread I could never have chosen not to post. I couldn't turn down such a fantastic opportunity to learn from the other mums here!
It has already been said but if more people were wiling to jusk ask, it would be such a better way of life for many of us.IYKWIM.

Want to echo what everyone else has said really - and to give others the confidence to ask. Its lovely when people like you take the trouble to find out more about `special needs'. Thank you

I have made a new friend recently (has child ds2's age, but her child is NT). I met her when there were no concerns about ds2 and tbh when all this stuff started to materialise' I thought, wouldn't blame her if she doesnt want to get caught up in all this emotional maelstrom - she'll probably steer clear of me now if she can help it.' but realisitic I felt.

Anyhow, she refuses to `steer clear', is asking lots of very well thought out questions and is obviously keen to continue with our budding friendship. How wrong could I have been . This new friend has reinforced the belief in myself, that I am worth getting to know (despite all the emotional baggage iyswim).

Wanted to add really, that you asking questions is like someone bothered enought to say hello to a disabled person rather than crossing the road to avoid them iykwim?)