Content Review: Week 2
EDUC - 4004
2012

1. Explain why the following terms should not be used interchangeably: impairment, disability, handicap, and at risk.
Learning and understanding the related terms of exceptionality helps others to understand the similarities and differences of those with exceptional needs. The terms impairment, disability, handicap, and at risk should not be used interchangeably because the terms have different meanings. Additionally the terms refer to different types of individuals with or without exceptional learning needs.
For example, the term impairment refers to the loss or reduced function of a particular body part or limb (Heward, 2009). Such as a soldier who may has a missing limb due to the current war or a child losing their leg after an accident. Handicap is a term that refers to a problem or disadvantage that a person with a disability or impairment encounters when interacting with the environment (2009).
Children who may not have an identified disability but have a greater chance of developing a disability are considered at risk (2009). When an educator apply this term to infants, preschoolers, and young school age children because of biological, the home environment, or developmental problems.

2. Explain how each of the six major principles of IDEA will guide your thinking about working with young children as a child development professional. Based on what you learned in the first 2 weeks of the course, if you could recommend a change to IDEA in its next authorization that would do more to positively affect children ages 0–5, what would it be, and why?
The IDEA’s six major components have opened my eyes and mind as a child development professional. Although there are six major principles, I believe the first three are the most important. First, the no reject ensures children, youth, and adults receive