Working with Children with Special Needs

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E1- Explain the social model and the medical model of disability There are two different types of models of disability. The medical model of disability is seen as the disabled person/s as being the problem and is not seen as an issue to concern anyone other than the individual affected and their condition needs to be “fixed” for example in a childcare setting, if a child is a wheelchair user and the doorway is narrow, there wouldn’t be any thought of making adjustments to the door but the medical model would say the wheelchair is too big and is it the users problem. The medical model defines disability as“Impairment: any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function. Disability: any restriction or lack, resulting from impairment, of ability to performany activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”(Grant Crason,2011) accessed 20/09/2013This model makes people with disability feel they are at faultmaking them feel different and unequal in the society they live in which could lead to stress and depression. The medical model puts the point forward that disabled people shouldn’t cause inconvenience for others and should help themselves and try harder and this may make them feel they cannot partake in social activities. The medical approach affects children in settings as well for example; a child who has a hearing impairment not being allowed to move to the front of the class to hear clearly. This will affect the child’s learning as well as their esteem knowing they are being ignored and knowing their needs aren’t being considered. On the other hand, the social model is more positive and has a more inclusive approach and says thingsneed to be adapted to meet the requirements of the impairment acknowledging disabled people’s rights.There are also two main groups in the social model. They
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