What are Special Needs?

 

(Symbol: group of people with different abilities)

• Special needs mean a person needs extra help to live, learn, and work.

• This can be because of:

  • Body conditions – e.g. asthma, muscular dystrophy. (Symbol: lungs / body icon)

  • Developmental differences – e.g. autism, Down syndrome. (Symbol: autism puzzle piece / chromosomes)

  • Sensory differences – e.g. blindness, deafness. (Symbol: ear / eye icon)

  • Mental health – e.g. ADHD, anxiety. (Symbol: brain / thought bubble)

---

Why is it Called “Special Needs”?

(Symbol: speech bubble with words)

• The term special needs were used to be polite instead of saying handicapped.

• It became common in schools and events like the Special Olympics. (Symbol: school / sports icon)

• The idea was to show people may need different help to do well.

---

Who Started the Term?

(Symbol: question mark)

• No one person made the term.

• It grew over time in schools, government, and the media.

---

Why Some People Don’t Use “Special Needs” Now

(Symbol: stop sign / no symbol)

• Some people say special needs sounds patronising (talking down).

• It can make disability seem shameful.

• The word disability is better:

  • It is clear.

  • It is used in laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (Symbol: law book)