These days finding a special needs child in a mainstream school is very common.
The concept of institutionalized care and education is a popular discussion within the school system. Though some still feel special needs kids and adults do not have a place in mainstream society, there are others that fight for these children’s rights.
The concept of institutionalized care and education is a popular discussion within the school system. Though some still feel special needs kids and adults do not have a place in mainstream society, there are others that fight for these children’s rights.
I was hired with the YCDSB in 2003 as an Educational Assistant and worked in an Elementary School for several years with children who has autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome. This was the most rewarding experience that shaped me and gave me the insight of teaching. This opportunity enabled me to expand my experience hands-on in the classroom as a teacher. Having had the possibility to experience being in the classroom gave me a higher consciousness and it moulded me into a strong educator, leader, and individual. I find this experience taught me how to listen actively and critically, present information and ideas clearly, honestly and with sensitivity to others. Classroom duties gave me a gratifying and rewarding opportunity to work with a variety of students with special needs. It allowed me every day to realize the joy and appreciation of life. I easily adapted to diverse learning styles and learned different techniques to best suit a child’s specific learning performance.
The placement of special needs kids in mainstream schools has many benefits to the special needs child but also the school community as a whole. Mainstream school kids get to know the disabled child for the person inside the body, not the outward disability. This goes a long way to improving social acceptance of the special needs kids both now as a child in school and later as an adult in the community. I completely agree with Nicole’s response of the fear parents have of their own children being in the same class as a child who is throwing a tantrum however this is why individuals are hired as Educational Assistants, Child and Youth Workers and E.I’s. There will be tough days – trust me – I’ve been there in the front line, my hair being pulled, my brand new shirt being ripped and my jewellery breaking to pieces. The outcome of all this is brought down to one thing – inclusion. When the tough days are behind us and the good days roll around, you slowly start to see why these children should be given a chance and have the ability to have lunch with his/her siblings, attend sporting events - whether participating or cheering - and generally socialize with her age group peers.
Stephanie V
Children who have special needs are as much an asset to a mainstream school as any other student who does not have any type of special needs. What any child needs regardless of what is different about them is to feel included within their school. Students with special needs may look and act a little bit different then kids who don’t have any exceptionalities, but really I feel as though they are there to tell their story and to show people that yes they may act and look different at times but we are all God's children and as God's children we are all equal in his eyes and therefore should all be looked upon as equals in society. From taking the Special Education elective this year, I have learned a lot about special education and how privileged I will be to work with students who have special needs. I feel as though what might be essential for one student with an exceptionality may be necessary for that one student, but will benefit all students. Students regardless of any type of differences should all be inclusive of one another, although it may be difficult, I feel that we as teachers will be able to influence our students in a positive manner.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Guilherme
Mainstreaming special needs students in the classroom positively impacts the lives of the student. It allows the student to be integrated into the classroom community. This engagement with other students can teach the student how to gain social skills and allow them to have interaction amongst peers. It can also impact their own self-esteem. To me, self-esteem is a very important aspect to the special needs child. They may go through life, with a negative self-image. They have been placed with a label, a label that they cannot control. It was an exceptionality that has been attached to them and now they have to live with the label for the rest of their lives. Although the beginning of the integration process into the classroom may be difficult for them, the long term effects will be beneficial. Allowing the students to feel included in the classroom environment has many positive influences for the special needs student as well as every member in the classroom. In my placement we have a student with mild autism and diabetes. He has a TA that has been assigned to him for the last 3 years. My practicum is in a grade six classroom. It was very difficult for him to integrate into the classroom. Last week he gave a presentation about his exceptionality. He was amazing! He cried but the presentation gave the students in the class great insight into different exceptionalities.
ReplyDeleteshanaz
As I think about the idea of mainstreaming children with exceptionalities, I wonder why we mainstream any kid ever. All children have exceptional things about them. In an ideal public system all children go through the system with an Individual education plan, a system in which they will blossom and grow the best. Just because the realities of Child who has a condition that puts them on the autism spectrum or a child afflicted by blindness, necessarily needs an IEP and mainstreaming is a necessary part of their education plan, doesn't invalidate the beauty of their individuality and the value they add to any environment.
ReplyDeleteThe child who grows up in the projects and recently moved into an affluent upper-class school in the suburbs, or the "main-stream" kid who meets the criteria in every subject in every grade level should both have individualized attention, just their exceptional nature doesn't necessitate it (most of the time meaning they don't get it). Their education should be handcrafted, but it won't ever be. All children, from every social strata, and at every ability level are special, deserving of care and are as Shanaz states "children of God".
Too often when talking about children who they system have stigmatized with the label "children with exceptionalities" we focus on their needs in contrast with the other children in the system or in the mainstream. All children are in the mainstream of my call as a Christian educator, all children are in the mainstream of God's love, and all children should be mainstreamed in classrooms where individualized care and attention should be shown to them. Some children within that model need extra attention, and some children are exceptional in terms of their needs and ability level, but that should be framed within a language that doesn't differentiate them from the target market, that doesn't draw them out any more from the masses, but rather their needs should be met appropriately.
Every student is different and does have something special to bring to the classroom- we are all gifted and carefully crafted by God as Stephanie G stated. Although labels are necessary to sometimes allow for IEPs or particular funding for students it is important to reflect on our discourse and vocabulary. Most labels placed on students are negative and these preconceived thoughts are promulgated through the school and sometimes labels stick with us for life. It is crucial to treat each child as an individual and notice their strengths and weaknesses as Josh said- their needs to be met appropriately. As per Shanaz's comment.. self esteem is a major factor. Students can sense when teachers dont believe in them and it can be detrimental to their student success. We as teachers need to be married to student centre learning and student success and to do that we must be actively aware of the aforementioned thoughts in this string of comments.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I respect your opinion on mainstreaming and special needs children, i feel that mainstreaming special needs students is problematic because they are not being offered all the resources; such as specially trained teachers and specifically structured lesson schedules, etc.... By placing special needs students in mainstream classrooms, I have seen that from experience these students are often neglected and left to figure out the material for themselves, rather than being paid the special attention they need to progress in their learning and to gain meaningful experiences and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteWe are all children of God and we are created in his likeness. This is the underlying message, regardless of what we look like or whatever "exceptionality" we have. If we look deeper, we all have some sort of "exceptionality". I have had the opportunity to work with many different and special types of children. This too was one of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of teaching. It made me a much more appreciative and honest person and subsequently and more patient teacher. In today's fast paced world where it seems life is one big competition, how wonderful to teach our youngest citizen's acceptance of everyone as equals and what a better place to start than where they spend the most time in their day.
ReplyDelete