Discussion: Rethinking "Disability"

As you have been learning, every human being is unique in physical appearance and abilities, cognitive competencies, and social and emotional makeup and acuity; this is the wonder of our humanness. As well, every child is a unique example of this diversity.This week, you have had the opportunity to learn about the ways in which modern developmental psychology views special needs or "varying abilities." In other words, children's special needs (or varying abilities) may be variations of normal development. However, in society today, labels continue to be used to identify children's varying abilities.Review the readings for this week, especially Snow's article on redefining disability, and consider the following questions:

• In your opinion, what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of identifying and labeling children?
• What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of considering special needs/varying abilities as variations of normal development?

By Day 3

Post your response the two questions above.