¶ … hear the word 'disability, the first images that come to mind are people with obvious disabilities, such as physical limitations. But now I know that disabilities come in many shapes and sizes. Learning disabilities are not always immediately apparent to even the trained eye of a seasoned teacher. A student with ADHD can seem very normal running around on the playground, and it is not until the child is sitting in a classroom environment that his or her 'disability' becomes evident on a test. The first words which come to my mind when I hear 'disability' tend to be negative words: it is difficult not to see a disability as a liability rather than simply as a difference, although from the point-of-view of a teacher it is better to view it as such, and is more empowering for the students to do so as well.

Question Box 2 on

Most of the movies I am aware of that use the term 'retarded' are relatively old, like 'teen' films from the mid-1980s like Pretty in Pink or The Breakfast Club. However, I do often hear people use 'retarded' in a negative context in everyday dialogue. Usually this is said in jest, in a humorous fashion, and is not directed at someone who is actually developmentally disabled. In the past week, I would say that I have heard people use the term 3-4 times, and that usually the people who do so are fairly young. Still, the use of such...

The word 'retarded' literally means 'slow' and thus is a very meaningless term to describe individuals with challenges, given that they may have great strengths (or quickness) in non-academic spheres of their lives, in terms of the kindness they show to others.
Chapter 2: Question Box 3 on pg. 7

The first thoughts that come to my mind when I hear the words ADHD are of a student who is 'hyperactive,' constantly walking around the classroom, distracting other students, and talking out-of-turn in class. I think of a student who has problems with self-management and who must constantly be monitored to ensure that he is not distracted and does not distract other students. With some students it can be difficult to tell when the disorder ends and genuine disobedience begins, given that all students manifest signs of distractibility at times. Usually, the dividing-line is that of medication: a child with an official classification of ADHD will often be given some sort of treatment so he or she can behave 'normally,' but this may be due more to diagnosis than a genuine difference.

Answer: Question Box 4 on pg. 14

The book is very adamant that ADHD is a distinct, medical condition and is not simply the result of over-diagnosis.…