Does the word "disability" bother anyone? | ADHD Information

As an adult with  disability, yeah, it bothers me.  I prefer to use the term differently abled.   I taught my children and am teaching my grandchildren that we should celebrate our difference and not shun them.  Each of us is unique.Hi, all. Just curious if the word "disability" bothers anyone. I guess for me it has had negative implications for so long in society that I hesitate to embrace it. Also, I look at my 5yo son and see an extremely smart, gifted and wonderful (yet impulsive and hyper) child with so much potential, not one with a sterotypical disability. When I read articles like the one about Ty Pennington, the Kinko's founder and the JetBlue founder, I don't think anyone would describe them now as disabled (although I'm sure they had their challenges along the way). Yes, ADHD kids may need special support and all, but I guess I view that as more of something they need to achieve they're full potential, not because they're disabled. Maybe I'm just hanging on to the negative view of the word "disability" when I do view my child as both "normal" and "special" at the same time. Has anyone else felt the same way or am I still working my way through all of this? To me, it is merely a legal term.  It means that we are able to receive additional school/legal considerations due to his "challenges."  I don't mind it.  It isn't as if it is used day to day to describe him.
Further, I have always told my son that "we all have our own thing" meaning, even though someone looks or acts "normally" there is a good chance that they have something that they are dealing with too.  
And that he also should consider part of ADHD as a "gift" as he is able to do more than one thing at a time-something I can't do as well. 
(Always pointing out the silver lining, I am.)

That word always bothered me when my son was diagnosed but what bothered me more was society in general labeling him as stupid, lazy, crazy and unmotivated. That is what really crushed his self esteem far more than being labeled with a disability. I see my son as unique and now that he is grown I always tell him that ADHD can be a gift if he puts his energies into building on his strengths Thanks everyone. I really like the idea of noting that everyone is dealing with some sort of personal issue (so true, after all, who is perfect, normal or whatever!) and also love pointing out the gift part. Thanks!Yes, the term "disability" bothers me. So does "disorder," as in "Attention Deficit Disorder". I am glad that my daughter is able to get accommodations in school because of the legal definition of "disability," but I would prefer different terminology.
I know some people like to use the word "diff-ability."
I think it's true that "we all have our own thing."
No, the word itself does not bother me.  My son has ADHD/Aspergers.  He receives alot of programs at school.  But I agree that they should put in a different word beside Disorder.  The only thing that upset me about my son's condition is someone calling him retarded.  That really ticked me off.  People should get educated on these different conditions and not just label them anyway they feel. 

 I can't even fathom that the word "disabled" could be applied to my son. He is in no way unable to do anything, he just does things so differently than most kids his age. I truly anticipate that when he's an adult and more fully "in" himself and able to do what grabs him the most (instead of fitting into our antiquated education system), he'll be perfectly fine.

As far as the word itself when applied to people, I guess I don't get the insult. If a person can't see, they are "unable" to see or have a vision "disability". They may be wildly gifted in other ways, but not in that way.   

BPQW39576.3412962963 Also, is ADHD considered a disablity? I've never heard that term from our school or our Dr's. I suppose it must be a matter of severity? Seriously, someone fill me in. BPQW39576.3410763889No it doesn't bother me anymore.  It kind of used to... but I think that I've actually come to grips with the realization that yes, it truly is a disability.  So many people don't think that it is a disability. 

MominKC wrote:
From a government/government program perspective, it is considered a "disability." Many medical groups also call it a "learning disability."

 

That in itself is a problem because ADHD is not a learning disability and its alarming to know that some medical groups refer to it as a learning disability. That is inaccurate and misleading. Those with a true learning disability have a learning problem. Those with ADHD have a problem with learning due to lack of focus. The problem lies win the fact that when gone untreated, those with ADHD miss a lot of the information being taught. It's not that they have a problem grasping it. That is why as the grades get higher many who have average to above average intelligence with ADHD begin to fail because the work becomes abstract and more complicated thus making it even harder to concentrate and pay attention.

This is why it is critical that the parents get an accurate diagnosis because strategies and accomodations can be very different  and symptoms of  ADHD and a learning disability may overlap. For some children both are present. Read below for more clarification:

 

ADHD and Learning Disabilities How can you help your child cope with ADHD and subsequent Learning Difficulties? There is a way.

ADHD and Learning Disabilities

 

ADHD is not considered to be a learning disability although it can sometimes interfere with a child’s ability to do well in school.  The National Mental Health Institute indicates that 20%-30% of children with ADHD also have a learning disability.  Learning Disabilities can appear in preschool children as problems in understanding sounds or words or having a hard time using words to express themselves.  School age children with learning disabilities can have difficulty in reading, spelling, writing and/or arithmetic.  One of the most well known learning disability is dyslexia, a reading disability.  It is estimated that up to 8% of school age children have a reading disability.

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Some symptoms, such as disorganization, weak executive functioning and the inability to use strategies can be present in both ADHD and Learning Disabilities.  Children frustrated with Learning Disabilities can also exhibit symptoms similar to ADHD, such as inattention and inability to focus.  Even so, ADHD and Learning Disabilities are separate and independent disorders.  Although some people have suggested that the co-morbidity between ADHD and Learning Disabilities is high enough to warrant evaluation for all children with ADHD, most school districts will not perform tests without a child exhibiting symptoms of Learning Disabilities.  Some parents choose to have their child tested independently of the school to determine if both exist. 

 

 

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From a government/government program perspective, it is considered a "disability." Many medical groups also call it a "learning disability."

I guess "disability" doesn't strike me as negative in terms of sight, hearing, etc. because those things are clearly defined/easy to understand. It's when it comes to behavior/brain sorts of things that I start to not like it. I think because of what NNJpolive said about people jumping to the word "retarded." I think uneducated people view it as something negative. I think ADHD is a different way of thinking, not necessarily an inferior way of thinking, which is what disability implies to me. When my son is smarter than most kids in his class, it's hard for me to view him as "disabled" or having a "disorder."

But I know he's be fine and words don't mean a thing in the grand scheme of things. Was just curious about how others felt. Thanks!

 

 

The term disability doesn't bother me like it used too. I mean.. what does disability mean? "lack of adequate power or strength, anything that disables or puts one at a disadvantage"

Now, my son is certainly disabled. He has no concept of personal safety, he knows right from wrong, but can't follow the rules.. he is sooo smart that when he does something "not so smart" it makes me want to cry.. he has a lack of power and strength.. he is at a disadvantage.   He might not look or appear disabled at first glance, or even the second.. but I know from personal experience that he most certainly fits the definition.

Now, I don't go around telling people that he's "disabled" or that he has a disorder.. I tell people that he's open minded, courageous, willful, interesting, smart, funny, brave.... and it makes us all feel better.

On the other hand, we are applying for a disability tax credit for him.. a small monthly payment from the government because he has a marked restriction in certain areas.. We are only doing this because we are not a family with money to throw around.. and I want him in day camp for the summer, I would like to get him a tutor, take up a sport of some kind.. ANYTHING to occupy the spare time that makes his life most difficult, and we can't afford it.

The term disability does bother me, to some extent. Disability implies that it prevents us from being able to do something, or that we're inadequate in some way. While I understand that disability may be the appropriate term when it comes to some people's personal experiences, I prefer the term "disorder". While it does have some negative connotations, it doesn't present itself as something so final and straightforward. Disorder seems to be a fine way of saying "Yes, this is one of my burdens, but it's something I have to live with and can overcome".
as being disabled myself and working 2 years for the founder of kinko's Paul, you would have never known. some people rise to great  heights who are officially hadicapped or disabled. it is what it is. i am disabled and my child is disabled. nothing wrong with it.

Actually, I dislike the word "disability." To me it means that the person has no hope of recovering or functioning from that which is the disability.

I like "exceptionality", "differing abilities", anything without the word "dis" in front of it.

Randy