I prefer "special needs". I have been on both sides of the issue. I am not PWD. Challenged, yes. I am not disabled or handicapped, but I do have special needs. I also am a substitute special education teacher; for life skills, autism, hearing-impaired and emotional support.
SSA Registered Disabled PWD KING ♕♛
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Both me and my only child are Social Security Administration (SSA) Registered-Certified Disabled Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). I am also a Registered Member of the Ectodermal Dysplasias International Registry. I was born with various physical Disabilities and I also have some acquired Disabilities. My only child was born with Autism and Mental Retardation. Both me and my only child are SEVERELY Disabled PWDs by birth and we can NOT pass as Non-PWDs in Mainstream Society.
I intensely dislike the phrase "Special Needs" for various reasons.
Various PWDs within the PWD Community (including myself) do consider the phrase "Special Needs" to be extremely offensive and and patronizing. Various PWDs see the phase "Special Needs" as "segregation" and that PWDs are different, not normal, and that PWDs are special. Various PWDs do NOT want to be seen as "Special Needs persons" and not being different and not as special persons but want to be seen as NORMAL persons who just so happen to have Disabilities.
I prefer the label "PWD". I also prefer "PWD Insider Language" terms that are used in reference to PWDs.
lil_farfa
I have taught special education and am medically disabled. I don't have a problem with the word disabled. It's the truth. My body doesn't work right, I am not able to do what the average person can, I am disabled. It's not shameful or anything to be embarrassed of. It is what it is.
This who PC thing just gets old and takes away from the point. As long as it's not said in malice, does it really matter?
nvoeau
my son is autistic . I don't see him as a special needs that just sounds demeaning. I prefer children with exceptionalities which is how its called at my sons school and it still leaves them with a sense of dignity.
?
my teacher always referred them as "people having special educational needs". and I think it sounds better.