special educational needs' still implies that those who have them are a bit 'odd'.

No it doesn't it implies they have special educational needs. Very bright children have them too. So do some "ordinary" children in particular ways.

As for taking notice of the press, if I complained about everything I saw wrong in the press hourly, daily, or weekly I would do nothing else.

Yesterday the local newspaper did a piece on Grenoside Sword whose anniversary it is this year. It was illustrated by a picture captioned "A troupe of sword dancers at Grenoside". Apart from the fact it was morris dancers and it was Scholes - every word of the caption was true.

could you ring up the BBC and tell them how 'out of date' they are

Remember the BBC thought the White Bunny Rabbit was a traditional song and that Show of Hands are a duo. Doesn't mean we have to believe it.