Learning Disabilities

[bednobs]

what was the name for people with learning disabilities before it was changed to learning disabilities? (around 80's 90's i think)

[pixie373]

Spastic is still used in a medical sense (spasms). I think all the others are done now. The individual condition is usually specified, rather than a catch-all.

[hc4361]

The National Spastics Society is now called SCOPE. Until 1994 people with cerebral palsy were spastic.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome was called a 'spastic colon'.

As far as I know spastic diplegia is still spastic diplegia.

[naomi24]

Woofgang, oh right. I think it generally referred to cerebral palsy sufferers - so not just learning disabilities - but I'm sure you know that. Having said that, the term has been used (by idiots) as slang to refer to people with learning difficulties.

[pixie373]

Yes, i agree, sherr. I have two, now, classed as special needs. Both are very bright.

[anneasquith]

backward and slow..........were commonly used

[woofgang]

Scrivens, "spastic" is a medical term for abnormally high muscle tone that does not relax. the opposite of that is "flaccid" these terms became open to misunderstanding so the terminology used now is high or raised tone and low or lowered tone. one of the kinds of cerebral palsy results in tight muscles, rather like some stroke victims have, so they were commonly known as "spastics"

nothing at all to do with things that dont work properly

[DaisyNonna]

Bright or physically gifted Special Needs children are now categorised and then forgotten.

[bednobs]

thanks everyone, the term that was in my mind that i just couldn't remember was "mentally handicapped"

[dekkypoo]

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