exceptionality
ik-sep-shuhn-AL-uh-tee
/ɪkˌsep.ʃəˈnæl.ə.ti/
The state of having physical, mental, or behavioral traits that deviate significantly from the norm, requiring special education.
An umbrella term in educational administration that includes both developmental challenges and intellectual giftedness.
The story behind the word. Traced through Latin exceptio (a taking out or restriction), built from ex- (out) and capere (to take). In mid-20th-century pedagogy, 'exceptionality' was adopted as a non-pejorative umbrella term encompassing both giftedness and cognitive disabilities.
Word relationships
- atypicality: 'Atypicality' is a neutral psychological term for deviating from the norm, whereas 'exceptionality' is a formal pedagogical term linked to support services.
- typicality: 'Typicality' refers to functioning strictly within standard normative expectations.
Commonly confused with
- excellence: 'Excellence' denotes high achievement, whereas 'exceptionality' refers to any significant deviation from the norm, including disabilities.
Word family
- exceptional (adjective): Deviating from the norm; having unique educational needs.
Collocations
- student exceptionality
- area of exceptionality
- identifying exceptionality
- categories of exceptionality
Example sentences
- "The developmental team evaluated the child's exceptionality to determine the appropriate educational placement." Special Education Administration
Memory hook
EXCEPTIONALITY is an EXCEPTION to the standard rule of learning. Taking a student out of the standard box because of unique needs.
When not to use
Avoid using in casual speech where simple terms like 'unusual trait' or 'talent' are more appropriate.
Fun facts
- In educational law, 'twice-exceptional' (2e) refers to students who demonstrate both high giftedness and learning disabilities.
- The term was specifically adopted to replace medicalized terms like 'handicap' or 'deficiency' in educational classifications.
Related words
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