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Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (extra credit)

AHA 5: Extra Credit

Old Dominion University

05/05/2019
Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)

Disability: A condition that effects peoples developmental state that can be Cognitive,

Mental, Intellectual, Sensory or Physical. A disability can make it difficult for some people to do

simple everyday things that people without a disability do daily, which can prevent or hinder

them from full functionality in society when being compared to their counterparts (Cambridge)

Handicap: A condition that limits a person from fully being functional, either from an

impairment or disability that is usually physical or mental and is unrepairable (Cambridge).

Developmental Delay: Being held back or extremely behind in certain skills or when

milestones have not been met, especially when other children the same age are meeting these

skills. Children should develop Cognitive Skills which is thinking, learning and being able to

solve problems. Social and Emotional Skills which is being able to control one’s emotions as

well as being able to express yourself. Speech and Language Skills which is understanding and

using language. Fine and Gross Motor Skills is the ability to use small muscles (fine motor) such

as the muscles in hands and fingers in order to hold pencils and grasp and (gross motor) large

muscles such as the legs which are used for walking and jumping. Lastly, there is Activities of

Daily Living which is being able to take care of your daily activities such as eating, bathing and

dressing one’s self (Morin)

At-risk: Refers to students who may have a higher probability of failing academically or

even becoming a school dropout. The chances of this happening to students is associated with

homelessness, disciplinary issues, transiency for cases that involve migrant workers, domestic

violence, etc. (Partnership, 2013)

Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)
culturally diverse: Is the difference between people because of their ethnicity, language,

traditions, cultures, religions, etc. and recognizes and respects theses groups because of their

contributions in the overall society (Belfield, 2018).

linguistically diverse: Is the difference between people when they speak different

languages from one another and come from many different diverse backgrounds and

different ethnicities(freedictionary).

I can say that my thoughts on the use of labels to identify students in school is somewhat

in agreement only because I know that it has to be done in order to diagnose and figure out what

problem/s a child could be having and what type of specialist may be needed in order to assist

the child, especially when it is a child that may have developmental problems or even behavior

problems. This can help parents better understand why their child is not developing or keeping

up with the other children their age or may not even be responding to certain techniques being

shown to them, as well as help students to understand why they may be working below their

peers.

On the positive side children with labels are able to receive the extra help and support

needed to succeed by having an IEP which can allow them to work at a different pace than the

other children and their work can be modified to whatever their current level is. There will be

accommodations available, along with objectives and goals that are put in place for the student.

A child that has these types of services in place can also receive services outside of their regular

classroom where they can get the support needed on a more one on one basis that is sometimes

preferred by students, since it is in a more private setting or in a smaller setting with other

students that are just like them.

Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)
The help that the children receive is set up in a way in hopes of getting them to the same

level of their peers or at least to a point where they are progressing towards improvement. The

goal is to find out exactly what it is that the child needs so that they can be productive and

successful moving forward. Teachers have to also be mindful of situations where their students

are not responding to the extra services being received and may possibly need to remodify

whatever the objectives and goals are (Kivi, 2010).

The negative side of being labeled is children can develop low self-esteem, because they

are embarrassed that they are not at the same levels as their peers, but also because they may be

getting bullied by their peers because of the labels. Children may begin to feel helpless and think

that something is wrong with them and why can’t they learn like their peers. Not to mention if a

student’s parents or other adults paint a picture that the child can’t learn, or the child is stupid,

they may have their expectations so low that the child will soon begin to think the exact same

thing. When anyone has such negative thoughts, they won’t be able to be successful, because the

only thing that they think is that they are a failure and may decide to give up on trying all

together (Kivi).

This is where everyone involved has to do their part and lift the child up by offering them

encouraging words and praising not only the big accomplishments but also all of the small

accomplishments. It is also important for adults in the student’s life to pay attention and be

mindful and aware of problems associated with possible bullying that may present itself. These

students should have a way to express and feel safe and comfortable to report any situations

where they feel that they are being singled out, stressed, worried, intentionally targeted or

terrorized by someone.
Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)
One way to cut down on such behaviors is by first promoting family involvement in all

aspects of the child’s life, creating a positive, accepting, caring, and safe school environment

(Salend, 2015). This can be done by encouraging student relationships, teachers having a positive

relationship with their students and modeling positive behaviors, having a classroom design that

supports learning, prosocial behaviors and socialization (Salend).

Adults also have to be very mindful of the way that they talk about these children when

sharing information with other professionals and when having general conversation with the

students. Children will go off of others when they define their sense of self by processing what

they hear and what is being told to them about who they are (Hicks, 2008).

According to Charles Cooley, who developed the communication principle called the

Looking-Glass Self says that by reflecting back to us who we are and how we come across, other

people function as mirrors for us (Hicks). For example, if a teacher says to a student, you’re a

bad child, then the child begins to believe just that. But if a child is told good job, you’re an

awesome student, then a will begin to see him/her self as just that awesome and good.

We have to keep in mind that once a child has been labeled, it does not go away and in

fact it stays with the child for the rest of their lives. We have to speak in positive for when saying

certain things about the children. Such as if you’re saying the child is hyperactive then instead

you can say the child is spirited or if a child is too timid then you can say the child is cautious.

It’s all about keeping things positive and being mindful of the words being used, because

children do listen to what is being said even when we don’t think that they are (Hicks).

Once again it cannot be stressed enough about being cautious and mindful of what is

being said especially when describing children in order to give off positive self-concept and

ensuring to help them think highly of themselves which helps their self-esteem which keeps them
Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)
positive, healthy, happy, and productive students. Anyone can initiate change and if the child is

not hearing positive things at home then why not provide a positive environment at the school

and in the classroom that is inclusive to all.

Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)

Citations

Belfield, L. D. (2018, December 13). Cultural diversity in the United States – Purdue Global.

Retrieved from https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/social-behavioral-sciences/what-is-

cultural-diversity/

Diverse. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/diverse

Gray, L. (n.d.). Why labeling Children is harmful: ODD, ADHD, Aspergias, Dyslexic ets.

Digital Journal. Retrieved August 15, 2007.

HANDICAP | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/handicap

Hicks, B. (2018, December 07). The Problem with Labeling Children. Retrieved from

http://thekidcounselor.com/2008/01/the-problem-with-labeling-children/

Kivi, R. (2010, November 28). The Positives and Negatives Effects of Labeling Students

"Learning Disabled". Retrieved from https://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-

learning-disorders/97167-how-labels-affect-students-with-special-needs/

Morin, A. (n.d.). What You Need to Know About Developmental Delays. Retrieved from

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/early-

intervention/what-you-need-to-know-about-developmental-delays

Partnership, G. S. (2013, August 29). At-Risk Definition. Retrieved from

https://www.edglossary.org/at-risk/
Running head: AHA Assignment 5 (Extra Credit)