MR Label

[Guest guest]

Sometimes I feel like I am between Rick, who has probably the oldest child (at

least one of them ) on this list and the youngest ones in regards to beliefs and

attitudes. I know both sides and live it both as a special ed teacher and a

parent. (apraxic & dysarthric) will be 18 this summer. She is also

mentally retarded. I have always believed in inclusion and still do. is

included in her high school and she is the first one there right now. She

focuses on reading and math still. She does get invited to things and has

sleep-overs. She is learning and she is where she belongs. I believe we need

to do what is right for our individual child and sometimes that means a more

" restrictive " environment.

Mental retardation - I use to cry at the thought of those 2 simple words until I

learned to accept that they mean slow growing and that developmentally, she

definitely is slow growing. I, too have refused and resisted IQ testing because

I don't believe that a number is going to ever tell you what my daughter can or

cannot do. I also don't believe a label tells you what she can or cannot do.

As a teacher I like the label cause it gives me a generalized view of what I

will be working with. I think it is more important to look at what services

and supports we are giving and getting for our children than to be concerned

about a label UNLESS you happen to have a school district that would try to USE

the label to place your child (which is illegal) but does still happen.

Just my 2 cents.

Kathy Everett.