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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Inclusion - A contemporary challenge. what is your perspective ?


The idea of Inclusion has changed dramatically over the decades. One main argument that I have perceived over the years is the concept that society emphasizes disability rather than normalizing it. Instead of helping a child with skills that will help them adapt, they are categorized and automatically set in separate classrooms with other students that have disabilities. Will other peers accept or taunt these children with disabilities? How do other peers react to each student with a different disability? For those who are against inclusion, having special needs students in a classroom can be a benefit, teachers can focus on their direct skills and tend to their needs versus a bigger classroom with general education students with more needs. Along with that, being in a toned down classroom with less distraction and uneasiness for students with major disabilities can be beneficial. Vice versa, regular education students can move at a faster pace and not be distracted by students that haven’t fully adapted.
Although in some circumstances, there are general education teachers that aren’t fond of having students who are behind in the classroom and can see that child with disabilities to be a distraction to the classroom. It’s important for teachers to have a co-teacher that is in special education so that they both can implement direct and individualized instruction to the child that needs that service. The most important factor that heavily helps promote inclusion is the child’s parents and family members. They actively want what is best for the child and will consistently work hard for better education for their child so that they can learn and obtain as much as possible.
Unfortunately, parents found their requests being ignored by schools and individualized education programs weren’t being created and implemented. In short, the schools didn’t want more work, with more disabled students you’d have to hire occupational or speech therapists.  Parents heavily advocated for their children, devoted time and sacrificed their careers to help find proper education for their children. Some factors that influence society to become against inclusion, is that regular general education students will feel ahead of their classmates when teachers have to focus more on students with disabilities.
In the YouTube clip “Are you happy?” The statement that Morgan “doesn’t” fit the model angers me, because who are we to label others as not normal? I am an advocate for equality, and I believe that the reactions and ignorance of society is what causes us to be fueled and further promote inclusion and the lives of children with disabilities. Teachers are also a big factor in helping children with special needs, not being afraid to tackle challenges and make your student feel as comfortable as possible in a classroom setting. Morgan enjoyed doing what everyone else did, which helps her become more confident in herself and approaching other peers. It gives children like her and others, hope and possibility to do anything that they set their mind to and not make them feel isolated in a classroom.
My perspective regarding the inclusion of children with disabilities is full and active promotion is needed in general education programs. It is very important that all children feel equally as important.  Placing a disabled child into a regular education classroom will help them face real life problems that will occur in life with others. I don’t believe in separating children with disabilities to be in a separate classroom, they can’t socialize with other peers or get involved in activities like anyone would in the real world. Working with children that have Autism has made me look at their disability, not as a disability at all. Children will memorize every episodes of a particular show, what date each episode came out and who produced it within minutes.It's difficult to label this as an abnormal thing or any other characteristics they show. Everyone has their own little quirks and I feel it’s important not to leave any child out despite a disability.

4 comments:

  1. Rumbi,
    I totally agree with you on not leaving any child out. Like any child they need to feel like they belong and including them in the general education classroom will allow for this to happen. Placing them in a seperate classroom, I feel shows them that they are different from others andd that is not what we as educators or parents want for these individuals. We need to build on thier strengths and interests as educators and hold them to the higher stand as we to the typical child.

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  2. Rumbi,
    I totally agree with you on not leaving any child out. Like any child they need to feel like they belong and including them in the general education classroom will allow for this to happen. Placing them in a seperate classroom, I feel shows them that they are different from others andd that is not what we as educators or parents want for these individuals. We need to build on thier strengths and interests as educators and hold them to the higher stand as we to the typical child.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. It is so important to have a co- teacher who has a background in special education so they know how to adapt the curriculum to meet students' needs in order for them to be successful in a general education curriculum. It is a team effort in the classroom in which both teachers need to have high expectations for all students.

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