I don't know about Iucounu, but I'm sure nobody in my large office building would associate "special needs" (or "special educational needs" which was the term actually used - there is a difference) with an offensive stereotype.

How do you think any often-stereotyped group gets *out* of a state in which some ignorant people stereotype them offensively? I'd have thought, by more sensible people showing that they're happy to be associated with the group, e.g., not inclined to hide that their children are in it.

My son has special educational needs, and I'm happy to say so. (Not disinterestedly, of course - where I live, other special educational needs are typically better catered for than giftedness, so making the point that giftedness is a SEN has several benefits.)

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