Labeling Theory: When A Child With Learning Disabled

A learning disability is a, “disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which disorder may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations” (Kirk et al., 2014, p. 176). In the past, the terminology for learning disabled was negative. Such terms included idiot and imbecile. There has always been an underlying negative connotation with the term learning disabled which places the child in a different category outside of what would be considered a “normal” child. This paper will look at three peer reviewed articles to answer the question: When a child is defined as learning disabled, how does it negatively

The labeling theory, “suggests that people with a learning disability will be viewed, treated and supported differently according to how they are defined as a group” (Thomson, McKenzie, 2005, p.29). When a child is set apart from the “normal” kids as learning disabled, it categorizes them. Putting them in a category apart from their peers can change how they view themselves and can have a negative impact on their behavior. It can negatively impact their self-esteem because they may start to feel like they are different than other classmates or that there is something wrong with them. In the study by Thomson and McKenzie, when they asked the 22 participants how does having a learning disability make you feel, half (11) of the participants said, “Some people can be ignorant and make fools of you, it makes me angry, kids make fun of me'; "Depressed sometimes, just get on with things, not slowed me down'; 'Sometimes a bit uncomfortable, unsure of myself; 'Sometimes makes me feel stupid because everyone is way ahead of you. What am I doing here? Makes you feel bad as you may be holding people back'” (2005, p.31). The study was of adults, so you can imagine how it would feel for a child who is in a school setting who are viewed differently because they have that label learning disability attached to them. Just like the participant who said that they feel stupid because everyone is way ahead, a child can feel the same way because they just don’t get the work that is being presented to them that others can grasp with