1.2 Before you start reading the text explain the term “exceptionality” in English.

READING

1.3 Read the text making use of the active terminological vocabulary.

Text 1

EXCEPTIONALITY

A significant segment of the population in the United States is made up of exceptional individuals. Twenty-five million or more individuals from every ethnic and socioeconomic group fall into one or more of the categories of exceptionality. Nearly every day, educators come into contact with exceptional children and adults. They may be students in our classes, our professional colleagues, our friends and neighbors, or people we meet in our everyday experiences.

Exceptional people include both individuals with disabilities and gifted individuals. Some, particularly persons with disabilities, have been rejected by society. Because of their unique social and personal needs and special interests, many exceptional people become a part of a microculture composed of individuals with similar exceptionalities. For some, this cultural identity is by ascription; they have been labeled and forced into enclaves by virtue of the residential institutions where they live. Others live in the same communities by their own choosing.

Definitions for exceptional children vary slightly from one writer to another. The most typical is the following: exceptional children differ from the norm (either below or above) to such an extent that an individualized program of special education is required to meet these children's needs. The term “exceptional children” includes children who experience difficulties in learning and children whose performance is so superior that special education is necessary to help them fulfill their potential. Thus “exceptional children” is an inclusive term that refers to children with learning and/or behavior problems, children with physical disabilities or sensory impairments, and children who are intellectually gifted or have a special talent.

This definition is specific to school-age children who are usually referred, tested to determine eligibility, and then placed in special education programs. Included in the process is the labeling of the child. At one end of the continuum are the gifted and talented children. At the other end are children with disabilities (some of whom may also be gifted). Students with disabilities are categorized with labels such as an individual with mental retardation, with learning disabilities, with speech impairment, with visual impairment, with hearing impairment, with emotional disturbance (or behavioral disorders), and physical and health impairments.

Vocabulary notes

exceptionality – исключительность

disability – бессилие, беспомощность,

нетрудоспособность, инвалидность.

(People with disabilities (политкор.) –

инвалиды)

identity – идентичность, личность, своеобразие,

индивидуальность

community – сообщество, общество

label – ярлык, этикетка, клеймо

ascription – аскрипция, атрибуция, приписывание,

определение, социальное происхождение

enclave – анклав (территория, окруженная чужими

владениями), замкнутая группа

treatment – обращение, лечение, уход

inclusive – инклюзивный

retardation – задержка, отставание

reduce – сокращать, снижать, уменьшать

impairment – ухудшение

disturbance – расстройство, патологическое

отклонение, патология, дисфункция