I personally do not think that anything will change over the
disproportionately representation of racial and ethnic minorities. Think of it
as a form of racism. In this society, racism has been a more relevant issue and
is occurring everywhere and being recognized. As stated in one of my earlier blogs I
mentioned that the African culture views disabled children and or adults as
witchcraft, an omen for doing bad things. That is a belief of the culture so
that won’t change. Usually things will happen coincidently such as no rain for
weeks due to a child disabled living in the village or the mother and father
can no longer conceive a child. This is all seen as black magic. So therefore attention
needs to be put towards helping any disabled individual and not looking at the
race of the person. People need to be open-minded and caring towards this low
population.
When it comes to being misrepresented, teachers and doctors
should properly evaluate children with an honest and caring heart to place them
in the right services. I have not been in a school where I have seen any
misrepresentation but working at the group home I have seen clients being
placed in wrong programs due to their behavior or diagnosis. For example, one guy is
completely deaf and we take him to the movies twice a week. The movie doesn’t
have any captions so I don’t see the point of him attending the movie. Another
client has the verbal language but refuses to speak unless its about something
he needs, like shower or bathroom. The agency would like to get him a communication device and I believe
that he doesn’t need a communication device because it will impair him even
more and he will rely on than trying to speak.
I think placing labels on individuals is wrong, people with special needs aren't given a chance to prove that they are well knowledgeable in certain subjects or areas. We place clients as severe retardation but that same individual can cut up fruits and vegetables and cook a meal but no one would guess that if they did not put him in that situation to show you what he can do. We need to give special needs individuals more credit than what society has been.
Giving credit where credit is due is such a profound statement in the special education field. Many do not give special needs individuals credit for what they can do but focus on what they can't do. I used to work in a home setting one focused on the disability and the place focused on the ability. I loved both places because I made a difference at the first place and I learned so much at the second place.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Trisha! Society too often lets the label define a child rather than the child's strengths. We see a child for what the disability suppresses them from doing not what they are capable of achieving.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment Rumbi when you stated'"People need to be open-minded and caring to this low population." That is very true but I think that all populations and races need to have an open mind toward being helped. We are all born on this earth and everyone deserves a chance to thrive and prosper. I cried when I read your last statement"we need to give special needs individuals more credit than what society has been." You have a huge heart and are going to be a valuable asset to the program once you receive your degree.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. That this issue is taking place more often than not because the people who should have a better handle on things are not doing so out of their heart. I liked how you pointed out racism as a connection as well. I agree with this because at Youngstown City Schools there is a high volume of kids being suspended on a regular basis. A few of these students are failing horribly and the teachers just call them lazy, when in reality, some of them can’t read or write. Rather than provide them with the services the need to succeed, they’re being tossed out. Meanwhile there is a student getting serviced for something less severe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. We need to stop giving help that enables or limits available growth to people and give the help that is actually needed for that individual to grow.
ReplyDelete