Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 In a message dated 3/23/2006 10:50:22 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, smilinggail@... writes: Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? my thoughts are pretty flexible on it. For me the question would be, how much would it help or hamper my child? Carol Trishasmom She isn't Typical, She's Trisha! Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 There's no doubt in my mind that Seth would benefit from it. It's just my natural insinct to protect him from any harm. Gail :-) my thoughts are pretty flexible on it. For me the question would be, how much would it help or hamper my child? Carol Trishasmom She isn't Typical, She's Trisha! Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 In a message dated 3/23/2006 11:46:23 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, smilinggail@... writes: It's just my natural insinct to protect him from any harm. go for it, you can always take him out if he isn't happy. :-) Carol Trishasmom She isn't Typical, She's Trisha! Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 I went to the Inclusion Works! conference in Austin, TX. at the end of February. Prior to going, I was thinking as a former Kindergarten teacher myself, I would have been very reluctant to have a child like my own son in my classroom! His 4 older siblings agree with me. They think he'll be teased, ridiculed etc. if we try to include him in a general education Kindergarten class when he's 5. (But that's what I want for him regardless!) THEN, I went to Inclusion Works! What a life changing experience that is. I came away with a whole new perspective. Our children deserve the same opportunities and experiences as their typically developing peers and I firmly believe that with support systems in place (and I don't mean an aide to 'babysit' them which is what they are doing to my 4 year old currently), our kids can and will SHINE!!! All that is required by law for them to remain in that environment is for them to make progress. They do NOT have to meet the same goals and objectives as their typically developing peers. They just need to show progress. They can certainly benefit GREATLY by being immersed with their typically developing friends. That's real life anyway! I saw some awesome examples of Inclusion done all the way from the preschool level up through highschool. It was so motivating and inspirational. I hope to return to the classroom as a teacher myself in the fall and I'd welcome any child with a disability in my classroom! The concern about teasing and ridicule is unfounded when we include our kids at an early age. Children are far more accepting and can easily be 'taught' how to be a friend and support to our kids, as opposed to being threatened by them. There are some fabulous programs out there that will help in that process to educate developing kids on how to be a friend. Once they've established friendships, it can be long-term, through-out their entire school career. Disability is a natural part of life and we need to be sure our kids are afforded the same opportunites and experiences as everyone else!!! Okay, I'll get off my soap box! If you have an opportunity to attend an Inclusion Conference of any kind I HIGHLY recommend it! You'll come home a different person!! Sandy, mom to Josiah, age 4 (DS/ASD) P.S. At his annual meeting a few weeks ago, I already prepared those on his 'team' that when he is 5 (by Fall of '07) I want him fully included (with no pull-outs) in a typically developing Kindergarten classroom with necessary supports to optimize and maximize his potential. I told that we need to use next year as a transition year to start planning NOW, HOW we can make that successful for him and the staff. We need to start figuring out what supports we'll need, which teacher will be most open and agreeable to working with him, and we need to start preparing him as well. He'll be going from a classroom of 7 (with his aide RIGHT by his side at all times) to a classroom of 23 (with NO aide, if I have my wish). They were open and agreeable (at least it seemed they were...who knows what they said when I left) to my idea and the assistant principal even said she'd make it her responsibility to figure out what that placement would look like for next year. inclusion, yes or no Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know it's a touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you are doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be picked on if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? I say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the picking under control. Gail :-) Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 Hi All, As a firm believer and staunch inclusionist I have experienced firsthand the benefits of inclusion, however, without proper supports and planning it cannot be successful. My son has been included since kindergarten. I am more fearful of the teaching staff being disrespectful and offensive than a student. The students have repeatedly come to my child's defense when issues have occurred in the past. Every sibling that has reservations about their family member being included has been the offender or has been associated with the offenders bullying students with disabilities. It takes one to know one. You may be surprised to learn that your typical child has been the guilty party. I do not intend to sound harsh but 99% of the time I find this to be the situation. Charlyne Mom to Zeb 13 DS/OCD/ASD? rsd wrote: I went to the Inclusion Works! conference in Austin, TX. at the end of February. Prior to going, I was thinking as a former Kindergarten teacher myself, I would have been very reluctant to have a child like my own son in my classroom! His 4 older siblings agree with me. They think he'll be teased, ridiculed etc. if we try to include him in a general education Kindergarten class when he's 5. (But that's what I want for him regardless!) THEN, I went to Inclusion Works! What a life changing experience that is. I came away with a whole new perspective. Our children deserve the same opportunities and experiences as their typically developing peers and I firmly believe that with support systems in place (and I don't mean an aide to 'babysit' them which is what they are doing to my 4 year old currently), our kids can and will SHINE!!! All that is required by law for them to remain in that environment is for them to make progress. They do NOT have to meet the same goals and objectives as their typically developing peers. They just need to show progress. They can certainly benefit GREATLY by being immersed with their typically developing friends. That's real life anyway! I saw some awesome examples of Inclusion done all the way from the preschool level up through highschool. It was so motivating and inspirational. I hope to return to the classroom as a teacher myself in the fall and I'd welcome any child with a disability in my classroom! The concern about teasing and ridicule is unfounded when we include our kids at an early age. Children are far more accepting and can easily be 'taught' how to be a friend and support to our kids, as opposed to being threatened by them. There are some fabulous programs out there that will help in that process to educate developing kids on how to be a friend. Once they've established friendships, it can be long-term, through-out their entire school career. Disability is a natural part of life and we need to be sure our kids are afforded the same opportunites and experiences as everyone else!!! Okay, I'll get off my soap box! If you have an opportunity to attend an Inclusion Conference of any kind I HIGHLY recommend it! You'll come home a different person!! Sandy, mom to Josiah, age 4 (DS/ASD) P.S. At his annual meeting a few weeks ago, I already prepared those on his 'team' that when he is 5 (by Fall of '07) I want him fully included (with no pull-outs) in a typically developing Kindergarten classroom with necessary supports to optimize and maximize his potential. I told that we need to use next year as a transition year to start planning NOW, HOW we can make that successful for him and the staff. We need to start figuring out what supports we'll need, which teacher will be most open and agreeable to working with him, and we need to start preparing him as well. He'll be going from a classroom of 7 (with his aide RIGHT by his side at all times) to a classroom of 23 (with NO aide, if I have my wish). They were open and agreeable (at least it seemed they were...who knows what they said when I left) to my idea and the assistant principal even said she'd make it her responsibility to figure out what that placement would look like for next year. inclusion, yes or no Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know it's a touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you are doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be picked on if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? I say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the picking under control. Gail :-) Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 nathan goes to most all regular classes and has never been made fun of or teased, he also has an aid with him at all times.But this isnt to say what they may say about him when he isnot around. on the other hand takes a few resouce room classes and he gets harrassed on a weekly basis, we've even had to call the police last summer, its been about 2or 3weeks and no teasing or harrassing ive noticed for him, so maybe the other kids are starting to grow up a little bit, who knows.I think for kids like nathan or steven etc the others tned to either ignore or feel sorry for or are very curious, but if they are just a little different or slow, like nicholas its like they have no tolerance for kids like him. Im very close to pulling and homeschooling, and the teachers know this, could be why things have been quiter. shawna inclusion, yes or no > Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know it's > a > touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you > are > doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be picked > on > if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? > I > say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the > picking under control. > Gail :-) > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 I must admit, Tori being included with typical kids has been the best for both Tori and the other classmates. Kids do not make fun of her. She is actually the star of the school. She knows everyone in the school and they know her by name and go out of their way to say hi to her! My issues are when Tori acts out against one of the kids..but as of right now, they are very understanding... and do not shy away from her. They treat her as the baby of the school. She is a cutey (not to be prejudiced) and tiny and therefore, everyone treats her as she is a " baby " and therefore, put up with a lot more and she gets away with alot!! We are trying to nip that in the butt right now..because that will not carry through forever. Liz inclusion, yes or no > > > Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know > it's a > touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you > are > doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be > picked on > if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? > I > say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the > picking under control. > Gail :-) > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 ya we had to nip the girls constantnly hugging nathan in elementry every year at the beginning of the year, they just think he is sooo cute and want to hug him all the time, they are better abut not doing it anynmore, but they have had many talks aobut not doing this. shawna inclusion, yes or no >> >> >> Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know >> it's a >> touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of >> you >> are >> doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be >> picked on >> if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to >> share? >> I >> say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the >> picking under control. >> Gail :-) >> >> >> Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 Well, I guess I think that either is fine, AS LONG AS the child is happy & getting a good & appropriate education. If in a special school, I think more efforts need then to be made to have them in the community. Dyl is in a special school now & just today they visited their buddies at our local elementary. They pair up with kids in a community school & do things with them often & it's been an awesome experience for both sides. They are also very good about getting the kids " out & about " in the community. This is the first year though, that we have concerns & Dyl hasn't been happy. Having Dyl attend our local elementary (where his " buddies " are) is on our mind. I guess we'll see what happens in the next few months as we work on the updated IEP that officially will have the Autism diagnosis & how willing the school is to work with what we feel is best for Dylan. They don't have a choice though, really, if I keep my backbone about this whole situation! Which I have so far! Yeah! Becky mom to Dylan, 10 DS/Diabetes/ASD smilinggail@... wrote: Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know it's a touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you are doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be picked on if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? I say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the picking under control. Gail :-) Quote
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Posted March 23, 2006 Hi Becky, Inclusion is not for every child but I have to give the schools credit for including them with their typical peers in this program. I think it's great and I bet the kids really look forward to it. Charlyne Mom to Zeb 13 DS/OCD/ASD? Becky Kligora wrote: Well, I guess I think that either is fine, AS LONG AS the child is happy & getting a good & appropriate education. If in a special school, I think more efforts need then to be made to have them in the community. Dyl is in a special school now & just today they visited their buddies at our local elementary. They pair up with kids in a community school & do things with them often & it's been an awesome experience for both sides. They are also very good about getting the kids " out & about " in the community. This is the first year though, that we have concerns & Dyl hasn't been happy. Having Dyl attend our local elementary (where his " buddies " are) is on our mind. I guess we'll see what happens in the next few months as we work on the updated IEP that officially will have the Autism diagnosis & how willing the school is to work with what we feel is best for Dylan. They don't have a choice though, really, if I keep my backbone about this whole situation! Which I have so far! Yeah! Becky mom to Dylan, 10 DS/Diabetes/ASD smilinggail@... wrote: Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know it's a touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you are doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be picked on if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? I say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the picking under control. Gail :-) Quote
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Posted March 27, 2006 Hello, I have mixed feelings as far as inclusion goes. began way back when in a nursery school fully included with a special Ed teacher who came with him to the nursery school, it worked out wonderful, he would receive OT pt and speech at our home nursery school was half days. He then went into a special Ed 5 year old program where 2 days a week they would have him go to his neighborhood school with an aide to the kindergarten class he would be attending the following fall, that also was wonderful. It gave a chance to know the teacher, the school, and vice versa. Following that he was in full inclusion in kindergarten with a 1-1 aide, he was pulled out 2 hours a day for direct instruction with a special Ed teacher, the teacher also went to the reg. Ed classroom 1 HR per day. also was GREAT! He was doing so well at the end of kindergarten, they said was functioning just about where your average child would be entering kindergarten, and thought he would benefit by repeating a second year of kindergarten, I agreed and he did with another kindergarten teacher. He also had a wonderful school year that year. He made friends, noone picked on him and he was even invited to birthday parties. The following year he mainstreamed into the first grade, again with a 1-1 aide, and all the other pieces in place, this when I realized it might not be the best for , there was a lot of quiet work being done at the desks, and I didn't think should go into a mainstreamed 2nd grade the following year, felt it was hurting his pride knowing he could not do what the others were doing. He mainstreamed for art, music, media, lunch and recess for 2-5 grade a while in a self contained classroom with 5 other children. was not disruptive in class however, I didn't think he was getting much out of being in a reg. Ed class after the 2nd year of kindergarten other than social skills and proper role modeling. I think that our children have every right to be in a reg Ed class if that is what we so choose. However, it was no longer about me, but about and where I felt he would be happier and learn the best. Viola Quote
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Posted March 27, 2006 In a message dated 3/28/2006 6:39:14 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ViPorier@... writes: think that our children have every right to be in a reg Ed class if that is what we so choose. However, it was no longer about me, but about and where I felt he would be happier and learn the best. You are so right. Observing Trisha in music, art and PE we knew that trying to fully include her would not be right for her. She was so unhappy going to these classes with more students and doing things that she just didn't enjoy she would just sit there and rock and cry and that wasn't our goal for her. Even when she transferred to the Autism school they had to slowly take her from being in a room by herself to being in a room with 3 other kids and she is just now going into a large group session but still is hanging back. Trisha does not like to be around a lot of people at one time and she just about shuts down when she is. She retreats to her own world. I support inclusion, however, it's just not right for every child. Carol Trishasmom She isn't Typical, She's Trisha! Quote
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Posted March 28, 2006 In a message dated 3/28/2006 6:39:12 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ViPorier@... writes: I have mixed feelings as far as inclusion goes. I really believe it's an individual thing. Even if it's the right thing, there are a TON of variables involved. However, if a program is set in place and the child has good committed advocates, it's a beautiful thing. That being said, it's NOT for Maddie. You have to know your child and understand the best method for education for them.....I believe most of us do. The important thing is to never lose sight of the fact that we ALL need to support each other in our decisions, and not be judgmental. It's never black and white. Donna Quote
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Posted March 28, 2006 In a message dated 3/28/2006 6:13:43 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, annettemaree123@... writes: The kids are great - The class was sitting in a circle on the floor and Em was sitting in the teachers chair playing with the teachers hair. Well she found a pair of sissors within reach and had cut only a small chunk out of her teachers hair before the kids yelled out E-J's got sissors!!! LOLOLOL Sorry Annette, but this cracked me up!!!!!! I bet the teacher learned something that day....to lock up the scissors!!!! Donna Quote
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Posted March 28, 2006 Hi Gail, I am a believer in inclusion - for the moment, for my daughter. She turns 8 years in May and attends a regular school in grade 2. The school (teachers and aides) have all worked very hard to keep Em in the classroom for as much of the day as possible. The teacher stopped the aides a few weeks ago - Em was playing up for them too much. She seems more settled in the room now. She has 1 hr away from the class of 1:1 teaching (special teacher) working on skills, and the class will do their quiet reading in that time. In the middle session an aide takes Em and 2 friends outside and they do gross motor stuff. There is also an aide to supervise her lunch breaks. Today for the first time Em yelled " hello Mattie " in response to a hello. Usually she just ignores people. Last year we started at a different primary school, that felt due to Em's behaviours she would not be able to be in a regular class. Their version of inclusion was to have her with the special ed teacher in a small group of other special needs kids. We pushed for time in a regular class but it seemed clear the teacher was not interested (or unable to cope) with Em. So we changed schools, and luckily it was for the best. Prior to this (pre-school) year was at a special school. We had a wonderful teacher and aide and 5 kids. It was 5 days a week. There was a lot of work done on toileting, eating, learning to sit still, pretend play, singing etc. My goals at the moment are to build social and communication skills. She has learnt to sit with the group on the mat, stay at her desk for a activity, not to hit or spit if someone comes to close, and more words are coming. The kids are great - The class was sitting in a circle on the floor and Em was sitting in the teachers chair playing with the teachers hair. Well she found a pair of sissors within reach and had cut only a small chunk out of her teachers hair before the kids yelled out E-J's got sissors!!! For the most young kids are very accepting and helpful. I truely dont know how Em will cope in later years when there is so much more quiet learning time. We may look at a special school then - at the moment this is what is working and Em loves going. This school is not the Education Dept suggested school it is my preferred school so just a few more forms to complete. Before school age I sent Em to a day care centre (which got $$ from govt for extra helper) to mix with kids, 2-3-days/week. Checked out all centre in my area and chose on " gut " feeling. She will still go back to the same centre for the holiday day care program. hope this helps a litttle, Annette (Aussie mum to Emma-Jay 7yrs, DS/PDD(nos)/ADHD, and 2 boys) smilinggail@... wrote: Okay, What does everyone think about inclusion for our kids? I know it's a touchy subject and a personal choice, but I just wondered what all of you are doing. My 4 older girls are having a fit saying that Seth will be picked on if he is included. Anyone have an experience they are willing to share? I say that if he has an aide with him all the time, it will help keep the picking under control. Gail :-) Quote
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