Stupid Guest Tricks

DisneyMom wrote:Totally agree, Syndrome.....
Although my son DOES enjoy some special accomodations, we have to go through A LOT of obstacles to prove that he does require them- Why- because so many NOT requiring them would take advantage if the process were made easier.

I've also had to jump through hoops to get the appropriate help for my boys. I've also had other parents treat me and my children with disdain because good money is being spent on our problems. I've pointed out to them that I would happily trade places with them but often it's treated with scorn. I think, EB, a lot of parents of "neuro typical" kids and many, many teachers as well feel that our disabled children should be kept apart like lepers so their children don't have to deal with them. After all, it might make them "feel bad" as one parent told me. God forbid they encourage their children growing up kind and caring of others. I've had teachers treat my AS boys quite negatively and would have happily had them in a separate class but both boys are very smart and high functioning and inclusion is what they've always experienced. I think a lot of parents think of all disabled kids as one big conglommeration and don't acknowledge the differences and strengths they have between them. If would be great if they'd educate themselves but I won't hold my breath.

Along these lines, I was reading this:

http://spotlight.encarta.msn.com/Featur ... ?GT1=27001

I did not realize that they are expelling them that young.

Is this becoming as big a problem as it seems? (in the article)

When I was younger, I used to hate inclusion because the one and only experience I had was in my 9th grade civics course and it was an example of what NOT to do. It wasn't until I got to see inclusion done right that I changed my opinion.

I am all for inclusion when it is done properly. What brought up this post was actually a discussion on the SWA incident where a family with 4 children were booted off the flight for unruly behavior. They were very quick to play the autism card, and one poster said that under the ADA, the airline was required to accept behavior of them that they would not accept of other children as long as it was a "manifestation" of the autism. That is what I have a problem with. It sounded to me (and maybe I read it wrong) like they were saying the safety and comfort of the hundred something other passengers was not as important as this one child who may or may not have a disability (There have been some questions about that). I find it an interesting philosophical question: how far is too far? How do you decide what to do when the needs of one person come in direct conflict with the needs of others?

Another topic along these lines is peanut allergies in schools- many schools have banned any form of peanuts. Service dogs is another hot topic. What happens when a person with an SD and a person with a severe allergy are occupying the same space? How do you decide which need prevails? These are the questions I am interested in.

It seems like on that thread there is one person in particular who seems to take everything I say the wrong way, it's frustrating because at times I feel like people are putting words into my mouth. I will have to say though, that for the most part cooler heads have prevailed and I'm impressed with many of the posters.

I just find it sad that we have to think twice before posting a real issue just because it may offend someone. I spent the whole first page trying to clarify my intent, after that it got better. It's just frustrating that we can't have real conversations about real topics because people get so defensive. At least the thread turned out alright.

GP: I have never heard of this happening and I have worked in several preschools.

I do have a one issue with the article: the insinuation that send a kid to a special ed preschool room is bad. Many many disabilities benefit from intsensive early intervention. I used to work in the autism room in our district. Is pretty much fully segregated so we can do a program called Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention. Each kid is assigned a one on one para, and the program is amazing. Although it is pretty much fully segregated for the preschoolers, the result is that by Kindergarten most are mainstreamed into a regular classroom with very little support for the majority of the day and are indstinguishable from their neurotypical peers. The problem is that Kindergarten is the last year this has been shown to be effective, to work it has to be done starting very early.

I guess I see preschool as a different beast since those are the most critical years. These are the years when the biggest gains can be made, and it is important for kids with special needs to get help early. This is often best accomplished in a separate setting due to the intensity. A lot of work at this age has huge pay offs later, so to me it's not an issue of "hiding them away" but of giving them the support and therapies they need so they can be mainstreamed later.

EeyoresButterfly wrote:I just find it sad that we have to think twice before posting a real issue just because it may offend someone.

Real issues are like good humor. You're always going to offend someone.

hobie16 wrote:Real issues are like good humor. You're always going to offend someone.

Mmmmmm, Ice cream! :homer:

Wait..

did you mean haha?


hehehehe

EeyoresButterfly wrote:I am all for inclusion when it is done properly.

I have two boys who are included and should be but they also have backup. One son going into middle school will have an aide in the class to help all the kids from the spec. ed. class so she won't be obviously hovering over them. My son in college has some accommodations like the opportunity to take tests separately from the class and some work accommodations. Then I have another son who's autistic who should not and is not included at all. He's eleven working at a five year old's level emotionally, psychologically and educationally. Every kid is so different, it's a different scenario for each one.

What brought up this post was actually a discussion on the SWA incident where a family with 4 children were booted off the flight for unruly behavior. They were very quick to play the autism card, and one poster said that under the ADA, the airline was required to accept behavior of them that they would not accept of other children as long as it was a "manifestation" of the autism. That is what I have a problem with.

There are things about Perry I can handle behaviorally and there are other things I have no control over. None of his stimming would endanger anyone so luckily I haven't had to deal with a situation like this. If a child can't stay in his seat, and his parents know this, flying isn't something they should be attempting to do with him, period. Take a train instead. As a parent of autistic children I've found that I've had to make compromises and sacrifices all the time, that's just the way it is. Our problem had been the negative reaction we've gotten to his talking to himself which he does very often or his whining or complaining which I don't let him get away with. I treat him as closely as I can to any other child because I don't want him playing "the autism card" someday or his brothers.

It seems like on that thread there is one person in particular who seems to take everything I say the wrong way, it's frustrating because at times I feel like people are putting words into my mouth. I will have to say though, that for the most part cooler heads have prevailed and I'm impressed with many of the posters.

EB, I don't post often on any board because of incidents similar to this. I posted a thread recently on another board because a friend had a less than clean room at All Stars and the Disney Board cry babies who think everything Disney is sparkles and sunshine ripped my head off. I love Disney and I prefaced my post by stating that I wasn't bashing All Stars in general but just a little reminder to check your room. You would have thought I was accusing Walt himself of a heinous crime the way they reacted. I don't need it. Incidentally, I have not experienced this here. I visit here to make sure I don't ever behave like a SG and thankfully, I never have.
EB, thanks for going into special education, I honestly don't know how you do it. We desperately need good teachers and God forbid, administraters.