According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly 15% of students in the US alone receive special education services. Unfortunately, there is a large stigma centered around students who receive services and the common belief is that they aren’t smart, which is widly inaccurate.
Special services can be defined as programs or supports for students to help them succeed in education institutions. Some students may receive extra support for specific learning disabilities, speech therapy, or even ADHD.
Special education students often face many challenges that are not just in academics. Unfortunately, they also encounter stigmas and judgements from society due to the lack of awareness of what special education is. Most think that special education is a label, while special education services are designed to support students with disabilities and help them reach their potential, stigmas surrounding these services continue to create unnecessary barriers for the individuals they aim to empower.
This stigma often stems from misunderstanding or lack of knowledge. Stigma can be defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance quality, or person. Many people equate receiving special education services with a lack of intelligence or capability, overlooking the diverse needs these services address. From learning disabilities to physical impairments or emotional challenges, special education provides tailored support to help students thrive in ways that traditional education settings cannot always accommodate. Mrs. Curtis, a special education teacher at BHS stated, “I found myself correcting people a lot when it comes to my kids, like I said I like advocating for them. There are stigmas; people think that you know special ed kids aren’t just slow and don’t know anything some people not all. But I let them know that my kids have talent and sometimes I will even tell them that my kids might be smarter than the average person. It does not mean you can’t learn, it just means you have to take different avenues. You might learn differently, but you can definitely learn what the next person is learning and be even better than them.”
Unfortunately, this misunderstanding can lead to harmful labels. Students in special education may be unfairly judged by their peers, underestimated by teachers, or even excluded socially. These experiences can harm their self-esteem and create a sense of isolation. Yet, special education students are as diverse, talented, and capable as their peers—they simply learn differently.
To combat this stigma, education and awareness are critical. Schools can foster inclusive environments by promoting empathy and understanding through programs that educate the entire student body about diversity in learning. Additionally, celebrating the successes of special education students in and outside the classroom can challenge outdated perceptions. Mrs. Curtis suggests simple ways to combat these challenges and judgements by becoming more educated and aware. “I think it’s about Just like anything else is all about becoming educated. It’s all about you know get to know a person. That’s why I like the peer-to-peer because I think it starts early and like with these high school kids, this is a good opportunity to teach them so to make life better for special education kids you now.”
By breaking down these stigmas, we can create a world where all students, regardless of their abilities, feel valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their dreams.
