Disadvantages in Disability Experiences and Strategies: Focusing on Parent–Child Narratives of Self-Recognitions of “Normality” and “Disability”

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how recognizing disability can eliminate disadvantages in disability experience by capturing self-recognitions of “Normality” and “Disability” and associated changes in behavior in the narratives of children with developmental disabilities and their parents. Three observations are made: Firstly, with the institutionalization of special needs education, parents’ perceptions of their children’s disabilities were constructed, resulting in a change in behavior. Secondly, differences appear in people’s perception of disability and their behavior based on that perception before and after special needs education. Thirdly, the perception of disability by people living as “normal” people creates a situation where they are unaware of the disadvantages.