My name is Kelly-Anne Martin, and it is my second year in the Special Care Counselling program. I have written this glossary for future special care counsellors who want to develop their English vocabulary.
This glossary contains 20 terms that focus on Special Care Counselling. The purpose of this glossary is to help others understand important English vocabulary related to helping people with special needs. It is a great way to help solve real-world problems by making it easier for future special care counselors to understand and communicate with clients. You can look at the definitions and examples given in my glossary and try to connect the terms to situations you might see during your studies or professional career.
active listening
phrase
A communication technique that requires fully focusing, understanding, responding, and remembering what a speaker says rather than just passively hearing their words.
Example: The counsellor uses active listening when speaking with the client.
fr: écoute active
activity
noun
The state of being active, or a specific action, pursuit, or task that you do.
Example: The activity helps the client improve their communication skills.
fr: activité
attachment
noun
A connection, a feeling of fondness, an extra tool part, a file sent in an email, or a legal seizure of property.
Example: The child has a strong attachment to their caregiver.
fr: attachement
autonomy
noun
The right or power of a person, group, or region to govern itself and make independent decisions without outside control.
Example: The counsellor encourages the client to develop more autonomy.
fr: autonomie
behaviour
noun
The way a person, animal, machine, or substance acts and reacts in response to internal or external stimuli.
Example: The counsellor observed the child's behaviour during the activity.
fr: comportement
client
noun
A person or organization that uses the professional advice, services, or support of another person or company.
Example: The counsellor meets with the client once a week.
fr: client
developmental disability
phrase
A group of lifelong physical, learning, language, or behavioral conditions that begin during a person's developmental period—usually before birth or during childhood.
Example: The counsellor supports people with developmental disabilities.
fr: trouble du développement
emotional regulation
phrase
The ability to effectively monitor, manage, and respond to an emotional experience or intense feeling in healthy ways.
Example: The client needs to improve their emotional regulation when they feel frustrated.
fr: régulation émotionnelle
empathy
noun
The ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another person.
Example: A counsellor should show empathy when a client is going through a difficult situation.
fr: empathie
intellectual disability
phrase
A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that begin before the age of 22.
Example: The client has an intellectual disability and receives specialized support.
fr: déficience intellectuelle
intervention
noun
The act of stepping into a situation, condition, or process to change its outcome, stop harm, or make things better.
Example: We planned an intervention to reduce aggressive behaviour.
fr: intervention
mental health
phrase
A state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being that allows people to cope with life's stresses, realize their abilities, learn and work productively, and contribute to their communities.
Example: Mental health can affect a person's emotions and behaviour.
fr: santé mentale
observation
noun
The act of watching someone or something carefully, or a remark made based on what you have noticed.
fr: observation
reinforcement
noun
The act of making something stronger, more supported, or more likely to happen.
Example: The counsellor uses positive reinforcement when the child demonstrates appropriate behaviour.
fr: renforcement
routine
noun
A regular or fixed way of doing things in a particular order.
Example: A daily routine can help the child feel secure.
fr: routine
self-esteem
noun
The overall opinion, value, and confidence you hold regarding your own worth and abilities.
Example: Positive feedback can help improve a child's self-esteem.
fr: estime de soi
sensory overload
phrase
When your brain receives more input from your sights, sounds, smells, touches, or tastes than it can process or organize at one time.
Example: The child experienced sensory overload in the noisy classroom.
fr: surcharge sensorielle
social skills
phrase
The verbal and nonverbal abilities used to interact, communicate, and build relationships with other people.
Example: The counsellor uses games to develop the client's social skills.
fr: habiletés sociales
special care counsellor
noun
A special care counsellor is a trained professional who supports individuals of all ages with physical, intellectual, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
Example: The special care counsellor helps the client develop social skills.
fr: éducateur spécialisé
trauma
noun
An emotional and physical response to an event or a series of events that severely overwhelms a person's ability to cope.
Example: Trauma can affect how a person reacts to stressful situations.
