Personal Responsibility and the Brain, Essay Example

The question of different treatment for individuals with impaired brain function is often raised.  Those with neurodevelopmental disorders are often subject to separate treatment, from the time that they are young and continuing throughout their life.  While equal treatment may be desired in trying to reach towards desires of equality, separate and individualized treatment is necessary for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Child Development

One definitive manner in which this question is answered is in the case of child development.  In the overarching term of “neurodevelopmental disorder,” we see a number of disorders, such as Down’s Syndrome, many learning disorders, and communication disorders, among others.  Accordingly the treatment of such individuals in their education is without question in the specialized treatment of such individuals.

Learning disorders represent the nature of the question quite well.  This is one of many cases in which special treatment is necessary, if we suppose the best interests of the individual in mind.  Thus we see the implementation of a number of features, from special learning methods to other types of equipment and interventions.  Certainly individuals with learning disorders are treated quite differently than others.  These types of interventions become very useful for individuals, no matter the extent of the learning disorder.

It is even more evident when more severe impaired brain function conditions are considered.  Cerebral palsy is a condition that requires a great deal of specialized treatment.  Without question, it would be ludicrous to suppose that we should treat such individuals similarly, especially in the context of educational institutions.  Individuals with more severe neurodevelopmental disorders require specialized treatment to help with some of the features of the disorder.  Specialized treatment has become quite standard and the norm in the realm of education.

Education represents one area in which specialized treatment is necessary.  Thus, we cannot suppose that individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders be treated differently in such institutions.  Namely in the important environment of the school, individuals with impaired brain functioning must be treated differently.

Necessity of Specialized Treatment

However, of course, separate treatment is not confined to that of the school.  As individuals with impaired brain functioning age, they must continue to receive special treatment for their needs.  Neurodevelopmental disorders extend toward a number of environments in the manner that they are handled.

Beyond education neurodevelopmental disorders will continue to be treated in a specialized manner.  As previously analyzed, school is an early instance in which individuals with impaired brain functioning are treated and engaged in a specialized manner.  In many cases, however, this specialized treatment becomes standard in continuing years of the individual’s life.  One must continue to develop and receive attention for his or her special needs, according to the disorder.

There is an inherent need from the perspective of those that possess a neurodevelopmental disorder.  They must be treated in a specialized, and often individualized manner.  This is evident in practice and in regards to the wide body of research continually being conducted in many of these respects.  Thus, we see psychological research delving into the appropriate learning methods for individuals with Autism and other learning disorders.  Individuals with impaired brain functioning do not learn in a “normal” manner, as evident in their special needs-based treatments.

Necessity of Special Interaction

We now proceed onwards toward specialized interaction, which is the heart of the question.  Treatment has previously, in this analysis, been confined to “treatment” in the nature of special care.  However, treatment in terms of the way in which someone is interacted is now being addressed, where the word “treatment” is extended to interactions, which is again the meaning of the question that is being answered in this analysis.

The previous discussion gives us the logic in answering if individuals should be treated differently, in those who are affected by a neurodevelopmental disorder or impaired brain functioning.  Medical treatment, in various instances such as in the schooling and in the adult development, reveals the necessity of specialized treatment and interactions.  However it is not only in effective medical attention, but in revealing the communication of affected individuals, in which we see the need for special treatment in a general fashion.

When an individual with a neurodevelopmental disorder receives special attention in his or her schooling and continued adult life, this is not only confined to medical purposes.  The individual also receives special attention due to the specialized communication standards upon which an affected individual operates.  Under the constraints of a neurodevelopmental disorder, an individual is not able to communicate in the same manner as many people.

Here we see the necessity of specialized interaction for such individuals.  One with impaired brain functioning will most likely not be able to interact with someone on a normal basis.  Of course, this is a generalization, and many affected individuals can communicate normally in many ways.  However, it is certainly not able to occur on all bases upon which many people interact.

Thus specialized treatment is necessary.  Those who have impaired brain functioning should be able to communicate to the best of their ability, and not suffer from communication that goes against what they may be able to comprehend or deal with in some manner.  If an individual communicates with another of impaired brain functioning, the former would be able to keep the latter’s individual needs in mind when conversing with him or her.  This keeps the individual’s best interests and abilities in mind, and does not degrade or look down upon him or her in some fashion.

Imagine an individual with a particular type of impaired brain functioning or neurodevelopmental disorder, such as Asperger Syndrome.  In this case the individual generally would not be able to communicate in a generally accepted manner.  Individuals with this disorder have difficulties in empathy and in recognizing other’s emotions.  If he or she were to speak with someone, and in ignorance or in “equal treatment” (in the opposite answer of the current analysis) the latter responded negatively, this would not be conducive to positive interaction.  However, if an individual were aware and treated the individual according to his or her needs, interactions could be much more positive and beneficial.

It is important to relate the irrelevancy of any patronizing fragments in this analysis.  Recognizing one’s special needs and treating one in a different manner, according to these special needs, is not placing one on a lower plane.  In general considerations of equal rights, we may wonder if it implies a king of “equal treatment” for all.  However, it is not disrespectful to treat an individual in a manner that is relatively necessary for communication.

In these considerations the best interests of the affected individual are in mind.  It could be argued that ignorance is in place when these considerations are not acted upon.  It would be demoralizing and unfortunate for people to treat those with impaired brain functioning in a manner in which they cannot relate.  There truly is a difference between patronizing and jesting one for their limited abilities, and treating one respectfully, yet differently, in a manner according to their abilities.

Thus the abilities and interests of the affected individual are kept in mind.  It is important to note the respectful manner in which this must occur.  Special treatment in an immoral manner is of course quite degrading.  Ultimately specialized treatment keeps the best interests of the individual in mind, in a respectful, and not patronizing, manner.

Conclusion

Special treatment is something that is arguably necessary for those who are affected with impaired brain functioning or neurodevelopmental disorder.  Seen in light of the disorders’ management, therapies, and in educational contexts, such individuals have special needs according to the particular disorder.  These needs and accommodations based on their abilities form the basis for specialized treatment.

Keeping these things in mind are essential for interactions and communications between affected individuals.  If they are disregarded, it could lead to a number of problems, the least of which is ineffective communication.  If they are kept in mind, the needs of the individual may be kept in best interest for the effective and positive communications that may result.  Thus, we see the value of specialized and respectable treatment of individuals affected with impaired brain functioning.