Disability Affects Devleopment

3. 3 – Explain how disability may affect development Children with a disability may be subjected to prejudice or discrimination at school. They may be bullied or ridiculed by other students which will affect their self-confidence and in turn affect their learning capabilities and development. Disabilities are categorised in different forms i. e. learning or physical. Learning disabilities which affect development could be. Autism; autism is a developmental disability which affects how a person relates and communicates with other people and the world around them.

A child/young person with autism finds it difficult to understand facial expressions or the tone of a voice. They can feel lonely and cut off from society as they avoid social interaction. This could affect their ability to development or interact in social settings or in the classroom. Dyslexia; is a difficulty in learning to read. A child/young person suffering from this may become frustrated and problems could arise at home or in school, behavioural problems could also be seen, as well as the child becoming unmotivated or developing a dislike for school.

If dyslexia is undetected then this will affect their development at school and could spoil any chance of achievement. Cerebral palsy; cerebral palsy is a condition which affects the movement, posture and co-ordination of a person. A child/young person with this disability may only be affected physically with this disability while others could be affected by seizures, epilepsy or difficulties with speech and language. The social model of disability. In the 1970’s and 1980’s a civil rights based approach was developed by disabled people.

Buildings were built in such a way that there was no access for wheelchairs. Information was produced in a way that disabled people could not use. Attitudes and stereotypes about a disabled person prohibited a disabled person from having the same opportunities as an able bodied person. Special services were created that kept disabled people segregated and cut off from everybody. The medical model of disability. Under this model a disabled person was defined by their illness or medical condition. If they did not fit into society then they were institutionalised or kept isolated at home.

A disabled person had no options over: What school they attended, what support they received, If they were allowed to work and where they could work. Overall in the last fifty years there has been a huge step in thinking when it comes to the care and education of disabled children and young people. in the past the social and medical mode of disability meant that opportunities for learning and developing were denied for those with disabilities. However, today there is a different approach and majority of settings look for ways of increasing learning and development for disabled children and young people.