Ish,
Interesting perspective on the "gifted" mentally handicapped population. I have spent most of my adult years involved with this population. I have really been intrigued by the Autistic population. I once worked with a client who was quite low functioning. She was most amazing tho in her abilities to do puzzles She did not care if the pieces were upside down, never looked at the picture. She would pick the pieces up and place them in the puzzle as if she had taken it apart and strategically placed each piece where she would know where it was. She did not speak, but occasional mocking statements. She would indicate her annoyance with staff with a loud. "gnnnnnoooooooo" Particularly if you would try to help with the puzzle. What used to amaze me almost as much, would be to ask her where a particular piece was......"Stacy, find this piece," usually after you had spent 20 minutes looking for it yourself. She would totally ignore you. The key was to walk-a-way a minute after you ask, and slyly watch her. You could bet that the second she figured you were gone, she would pick out the piece you ask about and place it in the puzzle. Always left me going......Damn, where did she find that. She also had incredible strength, when she wanted to. She was not a large client, but she could pull the pins out of door hinges, in seconds. Of course she could not do this on command.
With all the years experience and commitment to this population, I would have to agree that inclusion (in regular classes) is not the educational solution for any of those at school wishing to obtain an education. I feel for the parents of these children, but feel their insistence on putting their special child in a regular class is a disservice to everyone.
At the local school, where a good friend teaches, there is bedlam in the 4th grade, because of a student who requires two "aids" to control thier behaviors and deal with the learning difficulties. I ask you......who benefits from this child being there in that class. My guess, the parents, seems to me an unfortunate means of them dealing with the special needs of the child, and most likely their questioning of why them...and possibly a means of coping. But at what cost .....to the students?????
Please, keep in mind here, that my views are not to say that the special population does not need to be educated. I most certainly do feel that they need to have the opportunity to reach thier potential. My views are reflective of my years of involvement in Special Education, and commitment to a better quality of life for these people.
Have I rambled enough here??.....
~~Neenny~~ |
