Page 4 - SENeXtra Sept 2021

Is age appropriateness appropriate’?

In special education and other services norms onto another person, often to when the newer themes are enforced
for individuals with intellectual disabilities the detriment of learning opportunities contrary to the person's preference. For
(ID) you will often come across a concept and further development. example, refusing to read certain books
known as age appropriateness. While it or view certain programs because they
is an idea that can work several ways, it Before expounding on the benefits are aimed at a younger audience. A
is typically invoked whenaprofessional of discarding this form of age second caveat is parents and their
deems that an individual is too old fora appropriateness, let us explore some wishes. While this is not a concern of
certain theme. For example, it might be ofthe context surrounding this concept. most, it is understandable that due
considered inappropriate fora15-year- to environmental factors, often social
old pupil to play with a Peppa Pig toy. It is important to note, while I am arguing and cultural, some families may state a
This article argues why this form of age that it is inappropriate for professionals preference for themes and activities their
appropriateness is a concept born out to decide that an individual with ID is too child partakes in to be representative of
of past failures and professionals, for old for something, there are a couple theirtypical biological age group.

the most part, should not be applying it. of caveats. Firstly, I take zero issue

with introducing newer themes to an

In 2013, when I began in special individual. It only becomes an issue READ MORE

education, the school I worked in had

several teachers and support staff who, , V

it is reasonable to note, were from a

different generation, professionally

speaking. Some of these colleagues, \ / *0

while very experienced and good at ' J w

their jobs, were proponents of age ‘

appropriateness. Common examples of z 9

their use of this in practice might include .,

a secondary teacher prohibiting their M <

pupils from accessing nursery rhymes ‘ V ‘

or resources that are typically aimed . ’ ‘

at children in lower age groups. While \\\ i \ g .

these examples seem fairly innocuous, " ‘n " -, \

it is a concept that relies on an individual \\ \ J ’

enforcing their own perceived social 1 ' 4 I '

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