Mental Disability Disadvantages

1215 Words5 Pages

Physical and mental impairments are a key concern in regards to many aspects of society and policy making today. Various aspects of everyday life of people with disabilities are influenced by models of disability in particular the medical model and the social model of disability. This essay will focus on comparing and contrasting the two models, explaining the ideology behind both of them. In addition to that, it will provide explanatory examples. This essay will elaborate on the effects on the general public as well as policies explicitly within the educational sector. It will also discuss the link between the models and labelling of children and the associated advantages and disadvantages.
The definition of impairment is a ‘characteristic or long-term trait which may or may not result from an injury or health condition which may affect a person’s appearance or function of their body or mind’ (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, n.d., p.2). Historically and traditionally impaired children used to be perceived as embarrassing to their families and were often institutionalised. They were considered as not “normal” and grew up and lived in an isolated world. Thus, medical intervention was commonly sought. The disability was understood to be ‘stemming from functional …show more content…

On the one hand, specifically in regards to learning disorders once categorised it becomes the focal point and everyone in the surrounding of the child needs to be aware of it. Expectations have to be adjusted and this can result in underestimating the disabled youngster’s capabilities. In additional, issues can occur regarding early diagnosis which possibly mistakes a child that is not quite up to peer standards yet with one having a learning disorder (In Understanding Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, The Open University). As a consequence, this mistake can prevent the minor from achieving their full academic

Open Document