Special education.?

Question

Alright. So I have been involved with special needs children since before I can remember. I'm 14. I love it. I give away my summers to help at ESY (Extended School Year) and I babysit for disabled kids. I can call myself an advocate. However, i swear there is a question here lol, I seem to I guess "overreact" when people say 'r****d and retarded'. When people say it as "your retarded!" or "you r****d!" in a joking way, i tell them not to day that word. they dont know what it means obviously. they say, "i wasnt saying it that way." it really pisses me off. I love my kids that i work with as if they were my own brothers and sisters or even my own children. people say retarded meaning it as "mentally retarded." that is NOT pollitically correct. the correct way to say it would be significantly disabled. or even mentally challanged. i dont understand why people say r****d/retarded all the time, when they wouldnt DARE say the N word. It pisses me off that people say that, thinking it doesnt

Answer 1

It's not likely that you'll get the whole population to change, but like the starfish story, each person that you let know that you are uncomfortable with what they've said will make a difference.

Start close to home, let your friends know that you aren't okay with the "R-word".  If it is someone with whom I am close who is using the word, I act shocked and say, "I can't believe you just said that!" At the very least they will know that you are sensitive to it and maybe think before saying it around you. Often my friends apologize and make more of an effort to find a different word. Some have even started calling other people on their use of the word.

Another approach that I use is when someone uses the word, I will ask them to define it. If they say that it means stupid or something similar, I will inform them that that is not the meaning of the word, that it is in fact a medical term and if they can't define it, they should not be using words that they do not know the meaning of. Cancer is a medical term too and doesn't get used derogatorily, why should retardation.

Keep up the good work and fight the good fight.

Answer 2

Yes i know what you mean,I have a little boy with downs syndrome and i despise that word.

I do the same if i hear someone using that word.

People are so ignorant,all we can do is tell them not to say it and if its directed at the person with a cognitive disability then we must correct them or failing that we can always give the ignorant b******s a slap.

Answer 3

Everyone has their "buzz words" and yours is "r****d" or "Retarded."  "r****d" is an expletive, much like the "N" word and is abominable. And, when the word "Retarded" is said as a taunt, it is equally despicable.

However, "Retarded" may be part of a label such as TMR, EMR or PMR (Profoundly Mentally Retarded). Some states still use those terms and it isn't meant to hurt or be an insult. In Florida and other places, we tend to use the descriptor "Developmentally Delayed." Then when we want to describe the child further, instead of using the words TMR or whatever, we simply give the IQ score and his or her scores on tests of adaptability, such as the Vineland. We do use the word "Profound" but do not add retarded. Profound is a label for people who really are unable to perceive much or act on their environment at all.

I sure hope you become a special ed teacher. Like you, I was following my heart when I became a teacher and later a behavior analyst. We need more people in our profession who have a heart for our kids!

Answer 4

well..there are people who say the N word..you cant stop it.

i was in special ed and i heard this all the time, i dont think its meant to hurt the disabled people even if its a rude comment, but people say things that are rude all the time, even f*g hurts the g**s. you just have to learn how to deal with it. you will learn to when you grow older. thats very nice what you are doing for these kids, there a good crowd:) hope you have fun doing what you like

Answer 5

when you hear someone use "r****d" or "retarded" in an inappropriate way, it is a perfect opportunity to *educate* him/her a tell him why it is offensive to a population and those who work in the field. if you do this with patience and understanding and in a non-judgemental way, you'll be able to get your point across. do not scold or chastise. please understand where the person is coming from: he might not realize it's offensive.  i understand that it hurts, but turn that opportunity into a chance to educate!