I hate the term “special needs.” There, I said it. I know that statement is going to raise the ire of some people, but I have good reasons for my antipathy.
Let’s start with the term “special.” When I looked up the word “special” in the dictionary, the definitions were “better,” “greater,” or “otherwise different from what is considered usual.” Does that mean that the term “special needs” refers to needs that are better? Probably not. Needs that are “greater?” Quite possibly. Needs that are “otherwise different from usual”? Also, quite possibly and most likely.
I realize that in many cases the idea of having special needs or caring for someone with special needs can make other people uncomfortable, and they struggle to know how to help when they want to. I understand that from the outside looking in, special needs can seem like a horrible burden to individuals and families.
Words matter. I’ve been hearing that phrase a lot lately in the context of today’s social climate, referring to race, religion, ethnicity--any aspect of human interaction. It is true. It’s true because words have power--they can make us cringe when they are ugly and demeaning. They can uplift us when they are empowering and kind. As citizens of the world, when we become educated about issues that affect others and ourselves, our choice of language evolves as does our social consciousness.
