How Do We Speak (or Write) About Disabilities?

The language we use in speaking (or writing) about disabilities greatly impacts how we think about the disability, and more importantly the person who lives with that disability.   A much-trusted colleague, whose own list-serve and blog often provides material for this blog, addressed this issue recently (Ken Pope Beatrice Wright). Rather than paraphrase or summarize as I often do, it is best to simply quote. It’s well worth  a few minutes to read through it:

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The Benefits of Exercise with ADHD

Running gave him a sense of control over his performance in school, relieved him of the discouragement and depression from performing poorly for so many years, and also reduced his levels of anxiety.  In a very general sense, such exercise increases levels of basic brain chemicals (neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine).  This actually encourages the brain to grow new receptors in some key areas. 

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