special needs
Requiring additional assistance
Special needs refers to requirements for additional support or accommodation, typically due to physical, developmental, or learning disabilities.
The term became standard in educational and medical contexts as a supposedly neutral alternative to older labels: a special needs classroom, children with special needs.
Some now consider it euphemistic or patronizing, preferring direct references to specific conditions.
Neurodevelopmental processing difference
- cerebral palsyNeurological disorder impairing motor function
- Down syndromeThird chromosome 21 present
- dyslexiaDifficulty processing written language
- deafnessLack of auditory function
blindness · wheelchair · hearing loss · speech disorder · epilepsy · ADHD · sensory processing · developmental delay
Personalized learning accommodation document
- inclusionBeing made part
- mainstreamingIncluding in standard settings
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- early interventionPrompt response to emerging problems
individualized · assistive technology · scaffolding · multisensory · resource room · paraprofessional · speech therapy · occupational therapy
Places providing temporary residence
- modificationsChanges to existing things
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- adaptive equipmentDevices modified for disabilities
- wheelchair rampInclined surface for wheeled mobility
sign language · communication device · screen reader · closed captions · sensory-friendly · universal design · accessible bathroom · service animal
Pleading for a cause
- servicesActs performed for others
- resourcesAvailable assets or supplies
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
funding · grants · benefits · respite care · case management · family support · vocational training · job coaching
autism
Neurodevelopmental processing difference
- cerebral palsyNeurological disorder impairing motor function
- Down syndromeThird chromosome 21 present
- dyslexiaDifficulty processing written language
deafness · blindness · wheelchair · hearing loss · speech disorder · epilepsy · ADHD · sensory processing · developmental delay · learning disability
IEP
Personalized learning accommodation document
- inclusionBeing made part
- mainstreamingIncluding in standard settings
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
early intervention · individualized · assistive technology · scaffolding · multisensory · resource room · paraprofessional · speech therapy · occupational therapy · life skills training
accommodations
Places providing temporary residence
- modificationsChanges to existing things
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- adaptive equipmentDevices modified for disabilities
wheelchair ramp · sign language · communication device · screen reader · closed captions · sensory-friendly · universal design · accessible bathroom · service animal · mobility aid
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- servicesActs performed for others
- resourcesAvailable assets or supplies
- therapyCurative mental treatment
intervention · funding · grants · benefits · respite care · case management · family support · vocational training · job coaching · independent living
- Education Buzzwordspersonalized learning, growth mindset, multiple intelligences, learning styles, adaptive learning
- Educational Equitybilingual education, desegregation, school integration, equal access, accommodations
- special educationIEP, IEPs, learning disabilities, learning disability, autism
- disability ministrydisability advocacy, disability awareness, disability rights, accessibility, prayer ministry
- special needs dentistryadaptive equipment, accommodations, sedation dentistry, dental anxiety, behavior management
- schoolingelementary school, school, middle school, high school, primary schools
special needsneurotypical
Standard cognitive wiring
typical · mainstream · average · standard · able-bodied
special needsgeneral education
Mandatory broad academic requirements
mainstream · standard · regular · self-sufficient · independent
special, needs, specialist, specialty, specially, especial, specialize, specialized, nonspecialist