Terms to Know in the Special Needs World
The Special Needs world has its own vocabulary and lingo that might feel a little daunting. Teachers should not only be aware of these technical terms, but also be sensitive to the use (and misuse) of the words. (In fact, even the term "Special Needs" should be used with some caution. See below.) The following video, created by the Priesthood and Family Department, highlights the importance of "Person-First" language. Underneath the video is a list of commonly-used terms and phrases you will want to be familiar with.
According to President Nelson:
"Imagine the heartache of a child who is told, 'You are dumb.' Identifiers and labels are powerful! The adversary rejoices in labels because they divide us and restrict the way we think about ourselves and each other. How sad is it when we honor labels more than we honor each other." (May 2022 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults)
 
According to the AUCD:
"Don’t use the terms 'handicapped,' 'differently-abled,' 'cripple,' 'crippled,' 'victim,' 'retarded,' 'stricken,' 'poor,' 'unfortunate,' or 'special needs.' Just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean he/she is 'courageous,' 'brave,' 'special,' or 'superhuman.' People with disabilities are the same as everyone else. It is not unusual for someone with a disability to have talents, skills, and abilities. It is okay to use words or phrases such as 'disabled,' 'disability,' or 'people with disabilities' when talking about disability issues. Ask the people you are with which term they prefer if they have a disability. When talking about people without disabilities, it is okay to say 'people without disabilities.' But do not refer to them as 'normal' or 'healthy.' These terms can make people with disabilities feel as though there is something wrong with them and that they are 'abnormal.'"
 
Here is a list of the most common terms and phrases you will use as you teach or administer adaptive needs classes:
  • 504 Plan: A school-provided plan that provides services and changes to the learning environment to enable students to learn alongside their peers. It is similar to an IEP, but with a much broader scope. 504 Plans are available for students with any disability, such as being confined to a wheelchair. Students who do not meet the legal qualifications for an IEP may still be able to get a 504 plan.
  • Accommodations: Educational modifications that compensate for learners’ weaknesses without modifying the curriculum or lowering expectations. Students receiving accommodations learn the same material as their peers without disabilities. (For example, a student with dyslexia could take an identical oral version an assessment instead of a written version.)
  • Adaptations: Changes in educational environments or curriculum that allow students with disabilities to participate in inclusive environments by compensating for learners’ weaknesses. (For example, a non-verbal student could be given an alternative activity from a "traditional" lesson.)
  • BIP: Behavior Intervention Plan. A plan that focuses on a student’s undesirable behaviors with specific interventions. A BIP can include prevention strategies, which stop the behavior before it begins, as well as replacement behaviors, which fulfill the same need as the disruptive behavior without causing disruption.
  • Blended Class: A seminary or institute class where adaptive needs students are paired with peer mentors (often in a 1:1 ratio). Blended classes are taught in regular S&I settings, but the format of the class is adapted to meet the needs of all students.
  • Cluster Class: A seminary or institute class taught in a setting designed to exclusively teach students with disabilities. These are often paired with schools also designed to teach an adaptive needs population.
  • IEP: Individualized Education Program. These are written plans developed by elementary or secondary schools to assist a child who has one or more of 13 disabilities identified under the law (including learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, ADHD, and autism.) IEPs ensure that students receive specialized instruction and related services. These are confidential, and are generally not shared with seminary or institute personnel, unless with express permission of a parent.
  • Inclusive Classroom: Classes taught in a way where students of all abilities and backgrounds can learn. This requires deliberate variety in lesson presentation, participation opportunities, and classroom organization schemes so that students of all levels can successfully engage with the material. Students with exceptionalities are both welcome and successful in inclusive classrooms.
  • Mandt Training: A specific training program for special educators, using the Mandt System, emphasizing respect for the individual, verbal deescalation and defusing skills. S&I Teachers who teach adaptive needs classes are expected to complete and maintain Mandt certification. This program provides education, and certification which both protects and supports students and teachers.
  • Mainstream: placing an adaptive needs student in a traditional education class
  • Special Education (SPED): Term used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that is defined as specially designed instruction to increase a student’s chances for success.
  • Special Needs: this is the globally-accepted term when referring to students who have particular educational requirements resulting from learning difficulties, physical disabilities, speech impairments, or emotional and behavioral difficulties. Because of its ubiquitous use, this term is perfectly acceptable when referring to students or educational programs, especially when talking to those "outside" of the Special Needs world. However, there are those within the Special Needs world who prefer other terms, simply because "Special Needs" can imply that individuals aren't "normal." After all, everyone has needs that are special to them. Accepted alternate terms for "Special Needs" are "Adaptive Needs", "People with Exceptionalities", or "People with Disabilities."