Should My Wordless Kid Go to School with Your Normal Child?
@ Fred Bartlett, your school principal was actually wrong. Parents do NOT have the power to make a school do “anything they want.” In fact, it is up to the IEP *team* to determine the best classification, placement and services for the child. If the parents are not in agreement there is an appeals/due process system which places a significant burden of proof on the plaintiff. Meanwhile, the child must remain where they are placed and with whatever services, no matter how inadequate, until a hearing officer makes a ruling. It is *extremely* difficult to get a ruling in favor of families unless the school/district is egregiously violating the law. For more information, I suggest you check out the following excellent resource: www.wrightslaw.com
@ Newscaper, who determines what physical or neurological differences are “right” versus “wrong?” My child may be different in many ways but ther is nothing “wrong” with him; he’s a fine human being with humor and love and determination -qualities found lacking in any number of “normal” people.
Sadly enough, people seem to want to make the issue about “mainstreaming” versus “segregation” when it really should be about finding the best fit for placement and resources, and training today’s educators better to teach to children of varying abilities and differences. And it is also very much a matter of geography and political climates.
