Article on Inclusion

[Jodi]

My sister-in-law shared this with me, and I thought I'd pass it along...

web.syr.edu/%7Ejisincla/inclusion.htm

BTW - I visited a SDC on Friday that was K-1 combined. I'm seriously considering this for Ryan next year. Our goal is for him to function more independantly, and I think if we keep him in a regular class, that will be all but impossible since he is already glued to his aide in kinder. The IEP is about a month away.

It's an interesting journey... my first experience with SCD was so horrific that I swore Ryan would NEVER be in one. Now, I'm excited about this great opportunity that could really make a difference for Ryan. Although I think the majority of the people I deal with at the district are morons, I'm truly blessed that I have a couple of team members who are just wonderful, and I'm glad they convinced me to check out this class.

[christie]

JODI ~

THANKS for sharing. I have saved this to share with some others

I have always said and been a believer, as the article says "inclusion is not always the best option for every person with every disability, and that involuntary inclusion is as problematic as involuntary segregation"

I am a true believer in "INCLUSION" but that does not always mean it has to, or only be in school. Again its the "I" in the IEP and what works best for them ;D

For me when I look at programs I always try and find a program where Chris is not the highest or the lowest, if you know what I mean. Being in the middle seems to be a good fit for my guy. Is GREAT for his self esteem and also pushes him to achieve more, as he loves to compete, LOLOL

Anywho thanks for sharing

CC ~

[steffipoo]

Jodi...

Hi.... I liked the article it gives all sides of the coin. I think in the world of sp needs families, we have been told that INCLUSION INCLUSION is the WAY to go. There are soo many ways to look at inclusion. There are no right and wrong ways between fully included, mainstreamed, self contained. There are combos of em all. I have found thru reading lotsa boards and parents opinions that there are flaws and positives in EVERY creative way we can educate our kids. It has to do ONLY and I feel ONLY with the SPECIFIC needs of your child and who can best serve these needs in the LRE. Last year Olivia was fully included in kindergarten(kinder last year was morning only not all day so she went from 8-11:30)then she went to the sp ed k,1,2 class from then till the end of the school day. Olivia was to turn 6 in Nov so since 6 year olds must have a full day of school here in cali she went there in the afternoon. She also did plays, yoga, and all sorts of stuff with classes from all over the school. Her teacher in sp ed would ask the teachers from every class if they had something they were doing that could include her class or some of her kids then ask he. She did and olivia did plays musicals etc lots last year. Now this year she is in the k,1,2, class till lunch (although she does flexcise and yoga with reg ed classes 2 times a week) she eats lunch with the first graders(which btw is a great idea if your child is starting to get gross eating habits or just not having great table manners sitting with your peers who are great models Liv and her pal in sp ed have started to eat so much nicer when with reg ed peers) In the afternoon she is with the reg ed 1st graders she came to know and love in kinder last year. The 1st year when Liv was almost 5 we sent her to a sdc kinder class at another school other than our home school cause she was too young for our home schools kinder and too old for preschool. SO we went with another neighborhood school self contained classroom. WELL disaster. The teacher sucked had NO classroom supports had kids in the class who it DEFINATELY wasn't the lre for. I think 99% of it has to do with the teacher AND the school. If the school is NOT gonna support the teachers then its a joke. Livs teacher then was the WORST. I TOO said never again. BUT LOL we all live and learn cause Liv is NOW in the morning with sp ed class(different school and teacher). It all has to do with whats RIGHT for you and if the teacher is good. Our teacher is amazing. Sounds like you have a couple of great team members like I say to Liv when we go to the store "STICK TO EM LIKE GLUE." Just surround yourself with positive mentors and you'll both be okily dokily. Nothing is set in stone remember that... you can ALWAYS change the situationif its not working. Ya know.Well gotta git good luck!!! Steff

[christie]

STEFF said " Nothing is set in stone remember that... you can ALWAYS change the situationif its not working." I SECOND that girl, anything can be changed at any time, if needed ;D

Once I learned that, it helped me relax a bit

CC ~