*Not cycle related* Disorder or disability?

[Matthew_T]

Whilst waiting on the college bus this afternoon, a member of staff came up to the first floor of the bus. She asked if anyone got the Connexxions bus, someone at the back said yes. She then said: "I have got a lad down here who needs to get on that bus. He has a learning ... disorder. I dont want you to hold his hand or anything, just make sure he gets the bus".

When she said "disorder" I thought: well it isnt offensive but is it politically correct?

I myself have a learning disability but noone has ever classed it as a "disorder".

What are your opinions on the matter? Disorder or disability?

 

[gaz]

depends on what it is and how it affects them. I also have a learning disability but it would never be classed as a disorder.

 

[Red Light]

My understanding is that disability, disorder and difficulties are pretty much interchangeable

 

[Matthew_T]

My understanding is that disability, disorder and difficulties are pretty much interchangeable

I understand that but 'disorder' means you cannot learn in the correct order or way. 'Difficulties' states that you have difficulties with learning, and 'disabilities' means that you have an inability to do the same things as others.

I was just wondering what the politest term was and why it is that.

 

[sabian92]

I've got a learning difficulty in that I find it difficult to do certain things (I'm dyspraxic). I do take offence to people who call it a disability though - I'm not disabled in anyway.

 

[vickster]

Not sure why this is in general cycling and not the chat bit, but as a medical term, disorder means "a derangement or abnormality of function", so disorder is perfectly fine if talking about function that's not normal whatever that may be

 

[gb155]

Disorder is generally pretty cool, I have an eating disorder, is not what you say, its (normally) how you say it.

 

[claver58]

Learning disabilities and Learning difficulties are what was called 30 years ago Mental Handicap. I've been involvedm with my local Mencap group for 20 years but have never heard disorder used. I certainly don't like disorder but suspect that the lady on the bus wanted to say disabilities but got it wrong.

 

[rowan 46]

Whilst waiting on the college bus this afternoon, a member of staff came up to the first floor of the bus. She asked if anyone got the Connexxions bus, someone at the back said yes. She then said: "I have got a lad down here who needs to get on that bus. He has a learning ... disorder. I dont want you to hold his hand or anything, just make sure he gets the bus".

When she said "disorder" I thought: well it isnt offensive but is it politically correct?

I myself have a learning disability but noone has ever classed it as a "disorder".

What are your opinions on the matter? Disorder or disability?

I have worked in the care field for quite a while, I have heard the terms disability and difficulty but not disorder except in the medical sense. from the space in your quote it sounds like she had a bit of a mental block and just put in the first word that sounded right.

 

[Black Sheep]

I've got a learning difficulty in that I find it difficult to do certain things (I'm dyspraxic). I do take offence to people who call it a disability though - I'm not disabled in anyway.

I am too, only got diagnosed when at uni, cycled about 8 miles to the assessment much to the bemusement of the educational psychologist who said i shouldn't have the balance / coordination to have learnt to ride a bike.

"should I stop?"

"no, if you enjoy it, carry on"

"how about skateboarding?"

*sits down and starts taking notes*

sorry, thought the topic ought to have some cycling content

 

[ian turner]

So you're holding up this womans poor vocabulary for derision on a public forum ? Shame on you

 

[apollo179]

I didnt realise that disorder was the politically correct term.
I think id prefer a disorder to a disability myself as disorder implies a condition , maybe passing whereas a disability implies a permanent physical disablement.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Think the world has gone PC mad TBH. I have mental health issues and I am not classed as disabled but am able to claim sickness benefit. My thyroid gland has packed up and as it is a chronic condition "technically" I am disabled because of that but could not use that to claim sickness benefit!!

So yes

I have a mental disorder.
I have a mental condition.
I have a mental health issue.
I do not have a mental disability. (open to debate )

 

[apollo179]

[QUOTE 1544450"]
Disability is different to disorder in that it can be due to circumstances outside of the individual. It's the whole social/medical model thing. For example, the social model would say that a wheelchair user is not able to enter a building with steps outside because it has steps instead of a ramp -he's disabled by the environment.
[/quote]

I dont get your point.
Are you saying that someone who dosnt have a local library is disadble from reading ?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

[QUOTE 1544461"]
Primary schools have little toilets. If they only had big toilets then 4-year-olds wouldn't be able to manage.

It's the environment that disables.
[/quote]

I have just seen Apollos' post. Am I the only one who feels he/she is being deliberately obtuse?