Pre Reading Week 8

Learning Disability: The general definition for a learning disability mean a person falls into on or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language (spoken or written) that may cause the imperfect ability to listen, speak, think, read, write, spell, or to do math calculations. Some conditions include, perceptual disabilities, brain injuries, dyslexia, developmental aphasia, and minima brain injury. 

Mental Retardation: A less than average intellectual ability equal to or less than an IQ of 70 usually sub average intellectual ability equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70 that is followed with lack of abilities necessary for independent daily functioning. It’s present from birth or infancy and is manifested by delayed or abnormal development, learning difficulties, and by problems in social adjustment.

Emotionally Disturbed: a person exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a person’s educational performance:

     1. An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.

     2. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.

     3. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.

     4. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.

     5. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school

I believe these categories define certain disabilities that exist in the world. People or more specifically children diagnosed with disabilities require special education classes because of their learning ability. They sometimes need the extra attention and more guidance from teachers.

I can’t give a clear opinion as to why students of color are over over-represented in special education classes, because to be honest, in my experience throughout schooling I noticed a larger ration of Caucasian students compared to students of color. Now, the type of community grew up in might explain this or some other factors may have had an impact. However, if I did have to give a reason for why students of color are over-represented in statistics it would be along the lines of the people running the statistics to create a certain outcome, like these disabilities being race related or gender related. It’s hard for me to discuss statistics without knowing, who created the statistics, how were they taken and analyzed, who were the people that make-up the statistics, and what factor were taken into consideration; because all of these questions and their answers can be easily manipulated to present a certain outcome.

I think more people are will find their race and class intersect more with how it’s difficult to have a disability, but I presume that men see them as weaknesses and I think women do to, however the pressure put on the male species in certain cultures pushes them to be and behave a certain way, where women might be more nurturing or nurtured. Where race and class start to intersect an play a role is how being part of a certain class limits what is available to you. It may be more difficult to provide that extra time needed for the person with a disability, or the money that’s needed to provide extra care or medicine for the person with a disability. These things require money and if someone is part of the lower class they’re likely to face a hard time trying to get what they need compared to someone who can readily afford it. Race place a role in a few aspects because race can contribute to class status, in the fact that there’s a large proportion of people of color who are not part of the wealthy class who can easily afford things they need and want. It also has a hand in stigmas that are sometimes attached to people with disabilities that it’s something racial that made them that way, which is absolutely untrue.

Someone who doesn’t speak the language of the test being given or doesn’t have a proper interpreter is likely to face trouble answering the questions to the best of their knowledge. They may misinterpret a question or not understand it and answer the question wrong. Race and class play in to this because people who are lower class are probably less educated which continues to connect with race because people of color are probably part of those in the middle or lower class more often than they are the wealthy class.