Disabled and Autistic students in public schools.

[beth119]

Ok.. so I was told to start a new topic to discuss this.

So. Here it is.

Should these kids be accomodated? Should schools be taking such a HUGE chunk of their budgets for them? Are they entitled to a public education no matter what? Even if they are a distraction to teachers and other kids?

Where do you draw the line?

I think so. Short of excessive violence in the classroom, I think that ALL students deserve a chance :)
I also think that if she squirell away everyone who is different, have special needs, etc.. . We aren't teaching our kids tolerance, consideration, compassion, and understanding.

[greenrays]

[beth119]

Yeah... I know. But hey.. I was told to start it!

I really am curious...

[chantal12002]

I'll tell you my opinion as a teacher. I'm for integrating all students because of it teaches the class to be accepting and compassionate. Children can learn a lot from students with disabilites and are more tolerant towards them later on.

What I am NOT for is to put a child with special needs in a classroom where the teacher has little to no training with special needs students. I am also wary of integrating the students without having another adult such as an assistant or an EC specialist to help out. As long as it is done the RIGHT WAY then go for it!

[Domestic Gal]

Yes I think they should.
I have a son who is autistic. He is on the high functioning spectrum and he was mainstreamed into a regular classroom.
He graduated in 2009 with the rest of his classmates.

[rachellepeters]

I'm for it, if the student can handle it. My niece has Down's and had her first year in kindergarten last year and did great. She knew more than some of the other kids! My sister worked really hard with her ..and all her other kids...before kindergarten and she is also higher functioning. I'm proud to say my niece goes to regular school...she loves it!

[motherofmolly]

Yes I think they should.
I have a son who is autistic. He is on the high functioning spectrum and he was mainstreamed into a regular classroom.
He graduated in 2009 with the rest of his classmates.

there was a boy in our school that grauated with us...i never knew he was autistic. he was high functioning but growing up i just thought he didnt care to talk to people. he was in all the regular classes

[PridesnotPower]

motherofmolly
sounds kind of like my child but honestly when he talks to the kids they do describe him as weird

[rbunnymom]

Years ago I worked in a school where there was a boy with very severe health/disability issues. I am talking in a wheelchair, trach and unable to communicate. He had a private nurse with him. Honestly, it really made no sense that he was in the school. He could not learn at all. In this case, I question the wisdom of having him attend school, but those with lesser disabilities and the ability to learn should be in public schools.

[beth119]

I know a lady here in my town who doesn't think children with disabilities should be allowed in public schools. Basically...at all.

Her theory is, if they won't ever contribute to society, why should society educate them.

Scary thing? She ran for a local office (lost)... and people voted for her.