tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post92846563053486320..comments2024-03-01T10:02:22.129-06:00Comments on The writing on the wall: The inclusion debateGalenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133622477462629829noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-3348593278686098382011-07-07T10:00:10.957-05:002011-07-07T10:00:10.957-05:00I hear you:-) and fully agree with your viewpoint ...I hear you:-) and fully agree with your viewpoint and thoughts on inclusion. I've felt just like you when talking to other parents and I know my own efforts have contributed to changes for the better. There is a strange disconnect between special needs parents, advice from those who have been there is largely ignored... maybe it's kind of like grandma sharing her baby care experience with a new mom determined she knows the best way already (sometimes ways have changed and sometimes new mom is dreadfully mistaken). My son would gain nothing in being part of a regular classroom. Thank you for sharing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07155066697321116827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-50552025084489392972011-06-22T21:52:50.353-05:002011-06-22T21:52:50.353-05:00I am preparing to post on this on my blog next wee...I am preparing to post on this on my blog next week. <br /><br />I love your balanced approach and I pay heed to your years of experience. Thanks so much!gillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388843035018332740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-12824226697281517692011-05-29T12:08:11.480-05:002011-05-29T12:08:11.480-05:00Hi, Rickie, I'm glad you like the blog post. ...Hi, Rickie, I'm glad you like the blog post. I think that some people automatically assume that inclusion is always the goal, even if that is not what is best for the child. When I worked in the schools, I would go to get a student from his mainstream class for therapy. It was a fourth grade social studies class, and while the rest of the class was discussing something like the geography of Texas or working on map skills, my little student was sitting at his desk scribbling on a piece of paper. Every time I thought how much better it would be if he were in his special education class, working on reading skills or learning the difference between a city and a state and which state he lives in or learning his address and phone number. Some would argue that he was improving his social skills, but he wasn't even paying attention to the rest of the students (unless they misbehaved), and they basically ignored him except when they were teasing him. And yet the powers that be assume that this was the desired goal, because he was mainstreamed.Galenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133622477462629829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-20299768562361573592011-05-29T11:13:40.536-05:002011-05-29T11:13:40.536-05:00This was a very interesting blog, Galen. Although...This was a very interesting blog, Galen. Although I don't have any children with disabilities, I've always thought that mainstreaming these children should be on an individual basis. I think so many disabled children will do well in a neighborhood public school and if so, it will be better for both the disabled children and the so-called "normal" children to be friends with each other. <br /><br />I do believe there are instances in which this is not a good idea, such as your son's who was not a good fit and did better in programs that could help him become the best he can be. I believe the parents who push for this are not always doing their children a service...sometimes I think it is because they so desperately want their children to have no disabilities that they don't really stop to ask themselves if they could make their children's school experience a wonderful one for their children. <br /><br />I wish all children could go to the same school, but it is not a good idea, say if a child is extremely disruptive to the class (be it from a disability or simply a behavioral problem).<br /><br />God Bless You and all you have done with your children. I admire you and your heart.<br /><br />RickieRickie, Domestic Goddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747660409243477681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-19798997676871952272011-05-24T15:55:03.059-05:002011-05-24T15:55:03.059-05:00Hi, Ellen, thanks for visiting my blog. As I said...Hi, Ellen, thanks for visiting my blog. As I said, I remind myself that I may be overly sensitive at times. But the discussion really did get my dander up a bit. Those who are so adamant that inclusion is the only way sometimes seem to imply that (1) believing in total inclusion is a higher form of consciousness and those poor souls who are still involved in special needs programs have not yet found enlightenment, and (2) the unenlightened ones should feel guilty for not demanding inclusion. I know that we all know our kids the best and do what we feel is the best for them as individuals. Good luck with camping, whatever you decide...to my kids, camp was the high point of every summer!Galenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133622477462629829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-88822712166873694252011-05-24T15:14:53.611-05:002011-05-24T15:14:53.611-05:00Galen, I can't even tell you how glad I am to ...Galen, I can't even tell you how glad I am to see a comment from you on the blog. Stone Age? Um, no. You are one of THE best voices of wisdom. <br /><br />I agree that in the end, raising a kid with special needs means a mix of activities, both inclusionary ones and special-needs-only ones. We just haven't done much with the former, and I think it would be a good thing.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-92188143152074634722011-05-24T09:28:35.891-05:002011-05-24T09:28:35.891-05:00Thanks, Louise! And thank you for providing so ma...Thanks, Louise! And thank you for providing so many thoughtful, thought-provoking posts on BLOOM! I've learned so much from your blog.Galenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133622477462629829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19577063.post-25842480581767204482011-05-24T09:00:21.314-05:002011-05-24T09:00:21.314-05:00Thanks for sharing your many years of experience w...Thanks for sharing your many years of experience with many children!<br /><br />I've encouraged BLOOM readers to take a look. Cheers, LouiseBLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.com