The ‘Special Kids’ Euphemism

Many words are considered politically incorrect and are usually replaced by a euphemism. But, sometimes the euphemism is more demoralising than the word that accurately describes a disorder, disease, or problem.

 

The Special Needs Euphemism

I was called to a fall of a 16 year old male who had had a fall and now had a bloody nose (epistaxis). When I arrived I found a relatively normal 16 year old boy who no longer had a bleeding nose. The boy’s mother was in attendance and was very upset and concerned about the patient.  After some time spent on the scene it became clear that the mother wanted the patient to go to hospital.

As we were leaving the patient’s teacher pulled me aside and said ‘Just to let you know… he’s a “special” kid.’ Oh, I reply, in what way is he special? I ask. ‘You know… “Special”’ She says and winks a couple times at me. I mean… we’re all special kids aren’t we? I ask the direct question, does he have a medical condition? ‘No, not all… I just mean that he’s a “special” kid…

I start to leave and realise that I’m not going to get any real sense out of this teacher, for her fear of being politically incorrect. As I load the patient into the Ambulance I’m stopped by the school Principle who asks to tell me something in private. Okay, I think… maybe I’m going to get more of an understanding.  The school principle says ‘Just letting you know… he’s one of our “Special” kids. Again, I ask the same set of questions about his medical background… does he have ADHD, does he have some learning disability. The school Principle then denies everything and says ‘No, no… I just want you to know that he’s very “Special.”

I finally get to talk to the patient’s mother who appears very distressed. Does he have any medical problems? I ask. “No… no medically problems…” she says. Okay, so he’s a normal fit and healthy boy? I ask. She pauses… “Yes, he’s very fit and healthy… except…” I wait while she pauses… “except that he’s “Special.”

Okay … in what way is he special? I’m getting mildly frustrated by now…  “You know… he’s a special kid…”

Okay, what do you mean that he is special? Does he have a learning disability? I wanted to just come out with it and say “Does he have Down Syndrome?”

Finally, she pulls me close and whispers… “He has a mild global learning disability…”