tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post7571429469011590331..comments2024-02-02T03:32:36.204-07:00Comments on SQUIDALICIOUS: But What if Your Kid Can Pass?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post-78275260376702256642008-08-01T22:12:00.000-07:002008-08-01T22:12:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post-42975435412820939382008-07-26T21:53:00.000-07:002008-07-26T21:53:00.000-07:00@creth, I'm sorry about all the crap you had to de...@creth, I'm sorry about all the crap you had to deal with. If that school had had an inclusive attitude, your daughter might still be there. <BR/><BR/>Uphill battle. Many casualties. I wish so many of them weren't our children.Shannon Des Roches Rosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18057806553670980068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post-73518855745213540072008-07-25T22:11:00.000-07:002008-07-25T22:11:00.000-07:00And people ask me why I homeschool. ...how long yo...And people ask me why I homeschool. <BR/><BR/>...how long you got for the reasons? After being told by the administration at Julia's private school that the Asperger's diagnosis she'd just been given was "the flavor of the week" and not to be taken seriously, we knew her days there were numbered. Since leaving there, she's blossomed. Now that she's NOT around kids every day, her self-esteem is coming back and she has more friends now than she ever did in school (which was none...she was too heavily ridiculed). We belong to a homeschooling social group so she sees other kids and socializes but it's monitored by parents, and I'm available for instant feedback and intervention. We're fortunate that the only special services she's really needed so far is psychiatric and we can get that easily through my husbands medical insurance. She may also need speech therapy. If she needs more, we may need to go through the school district but I've spoken to them and they don't think she'd need to stop homeschooling to get those services (social skills classes, speech therapy, etc.).<BR/><BR/>Taking her away from organized education has made all the difference in the world. She's happier and our family is closer. Best decision ever...for us, at least. Inclusion in the mainstream nearly took away Julia's entire spirit and self-esteem. Fuck inclusion. One size does not fit all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post-5400372570167275372008-07-23T22:55:00.000-07:002008-07-23T22:55:00.000-07:00I love this post. As one of those moms dealing wit...I love this post. As one of those moms dealing with "inclusion" in a "mainstream" classroom and a kid who "can pass" most days of the week, you've given me a lot to think about.<BR/><BR/>You touch on something here that is, to my mind, at the heart of this discussion: The attitude of the school itself. What is the message from the administration, the teachers, the students themselves? Is "special needs" like a secret that shouldn't be told?<BR/><BR/>It's so hard as a parent to stand up and shout when you are being told not to reveal yourself. Our kids have differences. But different does not equal bad. You're right. We need to fight the good fight. I just wish it wasn't so damn exhausting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post-15522907550201354412008-07-23T21:08:00.000-07:002008-07-23T21:08:00.000-07:00Yes, honesty usually is the best policy, but I am ...Yes, honesty usually is the best policy, but I am still in that tissue-paper state where I fear that people's expectations of a particular label blind them to the actual kid in front of them. <BR/><BR/>(So on one hand I blog about it to show "hey, this is a pretty 'normal' kid who just has some freak-out days" but then I realize I'm "outing" him to those who find the blog who otherwise wouldn't have known about the label.)<BR/><BR/>My own super-sensitive reactions to things and quirks jumble the mess a bit too, I admit.<BR/><BR/>But I've had some great email conversations and brainstorms since the panel which have really stretched me to think beyond my gut reaction. I've been very impressed with others' advice on this issue and I'll certainly continue the conversation, at least in my head!<BR/><BR/>Thanks...Kariannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508403905884601778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563550.post-88259605335516470802008-07-23T15:04:00.000-07:002008-07-23T15:04:00.000-07:00Thank you for your eloquent inclusion of the diffi...Thank you for your eloquent inclusion of the difficulties faced by children in the mainstream, whether public or private classrooms, or out in the world. As you eluded, I would no sooner keep my child's race a secret than his special needs. Everything about our children is a part of the whole. You remind us that advocating can be uncomfortable, but it is so very necessary if we want to see change and acceptance for our children.califmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10221199345482393180noreply@blogger.com