I find it rather unsurprising that 'malingering', 'laziness',
'stubbornness' etc are words that are so familiar to some list members.
It seems to me pretty straight forward. If a child is unable to conform to
the expected norms, it must be the child's fault. I could suggest that it
is an overt attempt at oppressing the guilt of the 'failing teacher', but I
believe that there are many people who totally lack the ability to
empathise, and some that just don't want to know.
A child with language difficulties, who doesn't understand the instructions
given, will be seen to be disruptive. He was in fact lost from the word go.
A dyspraxic child who cannot organise his movements, will be seen to be
'mucking about' or 'clumsy' in PE' . The dyslexic child who cannot find his
way to the next class may be accused of 'being idle'. So many examples, can
be pulled out of a bottomless hat.
I use 'hidden disabilities' or is it 'specific learning difficulties' as my
examples, as they don't even have a visible clue to their difficulties.
That is not to suggest that many other people who are described as having
less marginal disabilities, don't suffer the same fate.
It takes little insight into a classroom, expectations, a culture, a
negative stereotype to understand where it all comes from.
If you are unable, or simply do not want to conform, you must be trouble!
I hear the inappropriate labels all the time, and I can live with that.
What troubles me is that so many believe them.
Gill.
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