Thread by @atthecrosswalk, "special needs" is not an accepted term in the disability community. yet, [...]

Kelly Dawson

atthecrosswalk

"special needs" is not an accepted term in the disability community. yet, it is used repeatedly to describe us in major pubs—and that's a big problem. to explain why, i pitched an op-ed to @nytimes. the response from multiple editors? "there's no place here for this."

and you know what? they're not wrong. here's one recent example: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/well/family/in-vitro-fertilization-mosaic-embryo.html

After Genetic Testing, I Took a Chance on an ‘Imperfect’ Pregnancy

“It was like rolling the dice, except for someone you’ve never met.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/well/family/in-vitro-fertilization-mosaic-embryo.html

and another: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/well/family/children-special-needs-pandemic.html

The Pandemic’s Toll on Children With Special Needs and Their Parents

Missing social contacts and altered routines, disturbed sleep and eating habits can be particularly intense for the kids with developmental challenges.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/well/family/children-special-needs-pandemic.html

...and another: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/well/family/coronavirus-shutdowns-children-special-needs-adhd-autism.html

The Extra Burden for Parents of Children With Special Needs

Your child may have setbacks during the school shutdown. But remember, schools will open again at some point and help get things back on track.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/well/family/coronavirus-shutdowns-children-special-needs-adhd-autism.html

in fact, if you google "NYT 'special needs,'" you can see how prolific the use of this term is. this says something to me: the country's most respected paper doesn't respect one in four americans. if it did, it would know better and work to do better.

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