Exceptionality is defined as any condition or situation that may significantly interfere with a child’s ability to...
Exceptionality is defined as any condition or situation that may significantly interfere with a child’s ability to learn in school. This could be a physical or mental condition or a social condition such as having a single parent. At some time or other, practically all school teachers will have exceptional children in their classrooms. These children can become contributing members of the community. It is consistent with a democratic philosophy that every child has the right to education—the right to receive help in learning to the limits of his capacity, whether that capacity be small or great.
The term ‘exceptional’ means different things to different people. Some use it when referring to the particularly bright children or the child with unusual talents, others use it when they refer to any typical or deviant child. According to Telford and Sewrey (1972), to be exceptional is to be rare or unusual.” Cruickshank (1974) defines an exceptional child as “a child who deviates intellectually, physically, socially, or emotionally so much from what is considered to be normal growth and development that he cannot receive maximum benefits from regular school programme and requires a special class or supplementary instruction and services.”
Hewett and Forness (1984) have given a comprehensive definition ofexceptional learner: “An exceptional learner is an individual who, because of uniqueness in sensory, physical, neurological, temperamental or intellectual capacity and/or in the nature and range of previous experience, requires an adaptation of the regular school programme in order to maximize his or her functioning level.”
Kirk, Gallagher, Anastasiow and Coleman (2006): “Exceptional child is a child who differs from the average or normal child in (i) mental characteristics, (ii) sensory abilities, (iii) communication abilities, (iv) behaviour and emotional development, or (v) physical characteristics. These differences must occur to such an extent that child requires either a modification of school practices or special educational services to develop his or her unique capabilities”.
If these definitions are analysed properly they may help in deriving some of the following conclusions about the typical features or characteristics of the exceptional children.
“The term exceptional children may be referred in a generic sense to all those children who deviate seriously on the negative, positive and multiple sides on one or the other aspects of the growth and development of their personality from the average children to the extent of requiring special provision in terms of their education and adjustment for helping them in seeking their proper adjustment, development and progress in life.”
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