Perceptual deprivation--the inability to observe without biased or racist interpretation--can be countered by acknowledgement that racism exists; commitment to address racism in the learning environment; cultural exchange; use of the affective domain; and assessment of affective learning experiences. (SK)

Describes the author's experiences as the parent of a son who struggled from preschool until high school graduation. Describes the lack of power and respect that parents of struggling learners feel and the damage to the student of being labeled a slow learner. Notes most teachers did not see his strengths, abilities, and interests, but only…

This article discusses the consequences of labeling individuals with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. It describes three ways people respond to a diagnosis: with energy and improved confidence, with a retreat into the disability and withdrawal from relationships, and with resentment for being singled out. (Contains three references.)…

An individual with a developmental disability discusses self-advocacy, involvement with the American Association on Mental Retardation, dislike of the term "mental retardation," the need for such organizations to work more closely with people who have disabilities, and the need for such organizations and society at large to be more…

Criticizes the process of making statements of special educational needs for students with disabilities. Statementing is argued to have led to schools' demands for special resources for activities seen as outside of the ordinary and to have increased the number of children with statements of special needs. (CR)

This paper describes the process of developmental assessment of infants and young children from a parent's perspective. The artificial and arbitrary nature of most assessments is bemoaned as failing to adequately recognize children's abilities that may be readily evident to parents in more natural settings. Assessments emphasizing children's…

The lead article by H. Drummond examines the cultural context of psychosis and concludes that madness is deeply rooted in social and sexual inequality. The author, a psychiatrist, supports his argument with case studies, reports on the use of drugs with the psychotic, research on efforts to demonstrate that schizophrenia is a biological illness,…

The document includes three papers presented at a roundtable discussion of issues concerning The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the field of special education. Following an introduction by K. Wyatt, a paper titled "Categorizing Children and Funds" by M. Reynolds addresses the problems associated with categorizing exceptional…

The psychological testing of blacks and other minorities inflicts dehumanization upon them by subjecting them to culturally-biased examinations. These tests are defended on "scientific" grounds, although it is evident that they are simply a form of institutionalized racism. Standardized tests of intelligence reflect a middle-class white bias that…

Large numbers of black children are being inappropriately labeled as handicapped. One study in California has shown that as many as 75% of the minority students in public school programs for the educable mentally retarded were not, in fact, retarded. In many instances a student's behavior, rather than pure academic performance, was the primary…

A review of the history and current status of screening and differential diagnosis in the field of learning disabilities concludes that continued efforts at refinements in diagnosis/classification are unproductive. The authors offer a variety of concrete recommendations from a data-based perspective to make appropriate educational experiences…

Argues that politics of research must be considered in study design and interpretation of results. Efficacy studies leave larger ethical and philosophical questions unaddressed, such as who decides what constitutes appropriate objectives for whom, and why. Concerns are raised about social consequences of labeling. (TE)

Discusses what teachers can do when they discover that they dislike a child. Regardless of teachers' personal likes or dislikes, classroom rules must be maintained for all students. To provide a just learning environment, teachers must examine their nonverbal cues, the quality of their verbal interactions, and the congruity between the two.…

From investigations of cognitive development, intellectual ability, and learning strategies, representative examples of research are used to highlight dilemmas which attend the use of the terms "stages,""levels,""styles," and "strategies" to describe different aspects of human thinking and learning, especially in adolescents and young adults.…

Ten key issues and obstacles pertaining to mainstreaming are discussed, including redefining the relationship between special and regular education, the schock of normalization, recognition of physical and psychological barriers, teacher attitudes, labeling, and the individualized education plan. (DLS)