Bann
06-06-2012, 07:57 AM
Just a note for parents of special education students -
I've posted here in the education forum for many years about my oldest son. ("Thing1") He's now 21. He has developmental issues which necessitated that he receive most of his Special Education in small classrooms vs. being "mainstreamed" into the regular education population. Over the years, I sometimes had to "vigorously" advocate for his right NOT to be mainstreamed, even though that was the "politically correct" placement. For 2 years when he was 5 & 6 - I had to advocate for him NOT to be labelled a "behavior disorder" and then placed accordingly in a class for students with BDs. (thank God for the Neuro Developmental team/specialists at Portsmouth Naval Hospital). I've attended more IEP meetings than I can remember. At least 1 for every year he's been in school and he started in 1994.
It's been a long road - but I want to pass on this nugget to all parents of students receiving SpEd services: advocating for my son has been the single most important thing I've ever done in my life. I made some very tough choices along the way, and I'm sure a LOT of mistakes. My son's "social-emotional" well being may have suffered along the way, because I felt his being educated in "self-contained" classrooms was paramount (at times) to him being in a regular ed classroom. It was a choice I made because he's not a token. He's a person who needed to have the best possible chance at a full education in order to make it in this world after HS.
SO - "Thing1" graduates today and will receive his Diploma vs. a Certificate of Completion! :yahoo: I'm not posting this for any personal congratulations, because as his parent, I feel it was my obligation to do the best I could for him. This is not to take away from the achievements of students who do receive a COC, but it is a huge achievement for him.
Obviously, before Thing1, I didn't know SQUAT about Special Education, nor the Special Education law. I had to learn it. So, learn everything you can about SpEd law - both the Federal Law & State laws. BE your kid's strongest advocate - you owe it to them. It's worth it.
I've posted here in the education forum for many years about my oldest son. ("Thing1") He's now 21. He has developmental issues which necessitated that he receive most of his Special Education in small classrooms vs. being "mainstreamed" into the regular education population. Over the years, I sometimes had to "vigorously" advocate for his right NOT to be mainstreamed, even though that was the "politically correct" placement. For 2 years when he was 5 & 6 - I had to advocate for him NOT to be labelled a "behavior disorder" and then placed accordingly in a class for students with BDs. (thank God for the Neuro Developmental team/specialists at Portsmouth Naval Hospital). I've attended more IEP meetings than I can remember. At least 1 for every year he's been in school and he started in 1994.
It's been a long road - but I want to pass on this nugget to all parents of students receiving SpEd services: advocating for my son has been the single most important thing I've ever done in my life. I made some very tough choices along the way, and I'm sure a LOT of mistakes. My son's "social-emotional" well being may have suffered along the way, because I felt his being educated in "self-contained" classrooms was paramount (at times) to him being in a regular ed classroom. It was a choice I made because he's not a token. He's a person who needed to have the best possible chance at a full education in order to make it in this world after HS.
SO - "Thing1" graduates today and will receive his Diploma vs. a Certificate of Completion! :yahoo: I'm not posting this for any personal congratulations, because as his parent, I feel it was my obligation to do the best I could for him. This is not to take away from the achievements of students who do receive a COC, but it is a huge achievement for him.
Obviously, before Thing1, I didn't know SQUAT about Special Education, nor the Special Education law. I had to learn it. So, learn everything you can about SpEd law - both the Federal Law & State laws. BE your kid's strongest advocate - you owe it to them. It's worth it.