Special Needs Quiz – Answer Sheet

 

1. What is "Special needs"?
"Special needs" is a term used to describe people who need extra help or adjustments because of a disability, medical condition, or learning difference. This could be in school, work, or everyday life.

2. Why is it called "Special needs"?
It was called this because it was seen as a softer, more polite way to talk about disabilities and extra support needs, especially in education.

3. What does "Special needs" mean?
It means that a person’s needs are different from most people’s in some areas, and they may need extra support to learn, work, or take part in activities.

4. Who or what started the term "Special needs"?
The term became common in the mid-to-late 20th century, especially in education and charities like the Special Olympics, as a replacement for older, outdated terms.

5. What conditions do "Special needs" cover?
They can include:

• Physical disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, vision or hearing loss)

• Learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, intellectual disability)

• Developmental conditions (e.g., autism)

• Emotional or mental health needs

• Chronic illnesses or medical conditions

6. Where did the words "learning difficulties" and "learning disabilities" come from, and why were they used?

• Learning disabilities: Used more in the U.S. and some other countries; refers to conditions that affect learning and thinking skills.

• Learning difficulties: Common in the UK; includes a wide range of challenges in learning, some temporary, some lifelong.
  They were used to replace older, offensive language and to be more respectful and accurate.