Well, special ed. still exists in school now, (I'm in hs) although not all kids with "learning problems" are put in the same class all day, there are resource rooms for kids who have learning issues to take tests, have a study hall, etc. I am a tutor/ta in that class, and I go in and out all the time. I have had a few comments from ppl like, "You go to the resource room???" (I'm a pretty good student, I don't have any LD's or other "issues" so me going to the resource room doesn't make sense to them). People are more accepting than they used to be, at least at my school. I mean LD's or other problems, (no deafies at my hs, can't comment of that) are fairly accepted.
Okay, now I know you said you lost your hearing later, but why is it such a shock that many deaf kids seem to have behavior issues? You know what the reason is? Communication, or lack thereof. 90% of deaf kids have hearing parents, 70% of those parents don't sign. Know how it is said, kids go through a period called the "terrible two's," where they throw tantrums and hurt other people and things? This is because they can't communicate their needs and wants, their spoken language ability does not match their needs. That is why babysign has become so popular, because kids can sign sooner than they speak. Anyway, many deaf kids at 5,6, 8, 10, etc. can't communicate their needs and wants to their parents, and sometimes teachers and peers. I can only imagine the frustration!
Ha! (To the cop thing, not the fight
Amen! If only the whole world would think this way. I am not saying, however, that we should see everyone as the same! There are females and males, black people, asian ppl, white ppl, hispanic ppl, etc. Some people try and claim that everyone is the same, but THEY'RE NOT. Instead of trying to become color-blind, sex-blind, disability-blind, etc. which will never happen anyway, why don't we work on accepting the difference among people, and making the differences normal and okay? The problem with mainstreaming is that it is saying people with "disabilities" are all themsame, and that they all need the same services. The mainstreaming law was written for ppl in wheelchairs, and it dragged people with other "physical differences" along with it. Although the exposure of ppl with "disabilities" to "normal" ppl is good, it does not take into consideration the true needs of the mainstreamed childen. So many schools have "zero tolerance" policies with things like weapons, drugs, etc. (I've heard of ppl being suspended for having Tylenol on campus) and seem to have a similar rule with mainstreaming. Just because it works for one person, doesn't mean it works for all. Why isn't okay for dhh kids to learn sign and go to a deaf school? The school system is supposed to give children knowledge and information to help them live in the real world. A mainstream setting seems like the best way for children to get that knowledge. HOWEVER, there is so much knowledge that they may never get if they don't have teachers that they can communicate with, and peers who can teach them social behavior, and give them the much needed acceptance they will need to survive in the real world.
Okay, it's late, just my random thoughts. Bye....
