Thinking Allowed Learning Disabilities
Jul 8, 2025
Laurie Taylor speaks with Simon Jarrett, a Research Fellow at Birkbeck, who dives deep into the history of learning disabilities. He sheds light on societal attitudes from the 1700s to today, revealing how language and stigma have evolved. Joined by Magdalena Mikulak, they discuss the troubling implications of labeling behaviors that challenge societal norms. Together, they highlight the intersection of intelligence, race, and marginalization, emphasizing the need for better understanding and integration of individuals with learning disabilities.
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Life in Mental Handicap Hospital
- Simon Jarrett worked in a mental handicap hospital where many had lived their entire lives.
- He noticed they were trapped in a rigid routine, separate from the world outside.
18th Century Community Belonging
- In the 18th century, people with learning disabilities were integrated into communities.
- Communities adapted to them, showing belonging without mental tests.
Changing Humor Reflects Exclusion
- Idiots were subjects of jokes and slang in the 18th century but not with hostile intent.
- They gradually disappeared from humor as exclusion and institutionalization began.