Madam, - I have some sympathy with the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, when he uses the term "impairment" in an effort to define disability (The Irish Times, January 6th).
I also concur with the sentiments of Kevin Myers in his Irishman's Diary of January 9th when he raises very pertinent questions regarding terminology and learning disability.
I, along with my colleagues in special schools, would share his view that dealing with the terminology of mental handicap "has long been a linguistically fraught exercise". We also have been "paralysed" by this challenge for over 30 years.
Comparing and contrasting the various definitions on both sides of the Atlantic is an immeasurable challenge. In the US pupils described as having "learning disabilities" may also be of average intelligence; pupils with an IQ of 70 or less and under the age of 18 years are described as "mentally retarded". In the UK, pupils with an IQ of between 50 and 70 are described as having a "moderate learning disability". In Ireland, similar pupils are described as having a "mild learning disability". In the US very bright or very weak pupils are termed "exceptional children".
As a more "enlightened" country, we in Ireland term all pupils with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, etc., as "pupils with special needs". They are part of the "continuum of need". A continuum of need however, requires a continuum of provision.
I wish the National Council for Special Education, launched by the Minister last week, success in the work that lies ahead of it. Its first challenge will be to define who are persons with disabilities impairments and how the educational system should positively discriminate in their favour. Might I suggest that the special school environment is often a viable and desirable option on the continuum of provision for many "exceptional" children. It is regrettable, in my opinion, that no principal of a special school has a place on this Council for Special Education. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM LAWLOR, Principal, Catherine McAuley Special School, Limerick