Aspies For Freedom

I consider mainstream individuality-killing to the point where many people no matter aspie or NT shouldn't be there for their own good...

Im 13 , I think that there isnt really a set answer because not everyone has exactly the same difficulties and strengths . I found it hard when i first went to secondary school it was a big step , and i felt like i had it alot harder than everyone else also at the end of year 8 i moved from my little school on the east coast to a big school 5x the size in Northampton . I felt like i didnt fit , And i did see some school staff about it ., but i think it made it alot worse . In conclusion to this i think that aspies should be put in a mainstream school however should have alot of the right support through out . However this is only my opinion. And would not suit everyone .  
Sophie X

hmmmm.  I think it depends on what the alternative is.  When we start talking about special educational settings you almost always end up with risking self esteem issues and issues of reduced potential for educational gains issues (sorry, but I think largely  special education classes are often used as an excuse to underteach kids) vs. if you were to talk something like a Motessori school setting where each is allowed to learn in their own way then that I think could be really helpful .



Momof Hrick

I have been mainstream my whole life, and it aint easy.  I use fantasy to get through the day (and now I have you folks as well), but we live in this world.  If I won the lottery, I would segregate myself from NTs who cannot tollerate misfits, but right now I do my best to rub elbows peacefully.  So, unless you're rich, you might as well mainstream.  In the old days, one could fall through the cracks, which is what I did.  I glided through, skipping a lot, but getting by.  College was a welcome relief and fit my learning style much better.

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Mainstream schools are however almost the only option in Norway, and not something that's ever being considered poor as far as I know.
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Mainstreaming done correctly (i.e. student gets the amount of support needed for success) is wonderful.  When done on the cheap, it only reinforces what a nuscience SPED kids are before they blow out.  I spent the last 25 years in Vermont, where they do a beautify job mainstreaming kids.  My foster son works for an outside agency that supports school with the most difficult cases (violence, medical) to mainstream safely.  I moved to Arizona this summer where I am working with two self-contained classrooms for children with ASDs.  They are not as well educated - its just not taken as seriously; they miss so much!!  People do not realise that disordered language does not equal not smart, and children with ASDs are smart.  (Especially the poop artists)

You are sooooo right!!  And I work in the system.  It drives me nuts.  The paperwork is nuts too.  Its all about the paperwork - who has time for all those pesky students!  

You can't legislate high quality, compasionate teaching, but I personally feel that a good start would be to define 'highly qualified' as someone who has an undergrad in teaching: curriculum, instruction theory, classroom management, etc.  Then people specialize in sped, speech/lang, psychology, reading, math, OT, PT, admin, etc for grad degree.  Then, with a sped as lead teacher, all specialties work in the classroom with all the kids for elementary school as collaborators.  High schools could specialize: academic, art, trades, etc.  All teachers k-12, need to know how to differintiate instruction and how to run a responsive classroom.  

One reason NTs think there's is the only way is b/c all others are removed from the classroom.  Before IDEA, neurodiversity was not allowed in the classroom.  People growing up before the 70s simply never saw a person with differences (the 'good 'ole days, right?).  In fact the ONLY people who mattered were wasp males.   The elimination of nonNTs was the most successful segregation project ever.  I feel for this reason, classes need neurodiversity (inclusion).  It needs to be done with care so old sterotypes are not reinforced.  An ignorant teacher can do a lot of harm.

My older sister got her special ed degree from indiana university in 1964.  Her first job was to go door to door as follow up to rumors that there might be a school-aged child with 'disabilities.'  She found some being well cared for, but many were in basements, atticks, etc.  No one thought anything about it.  They were mostly poor b/c the wealthy could send their kids away.  Many, many doctors recommended that babies born with obvious differences (downs & CP, etc) at birth be sent away before parent became attached to them.  Kids with autism were also sent "away." Why do you think the asperger & kanner descriptions were of institutionalized people?  My friend with autism who presented and mentored, used to mentor an older man who spent his entire childhood into adulthood in an institution.  It was very hard for him to speak of it without flipping out.  and his words where very disturbing.  I am blathering on and on b/c it is so important that people with learning differences are not segregated from mainstream.  the only way to be recognized as a human being to let poeple know you.

there is a bumper sticker that reads to the effect of:
It will be a great day when schools get the money they need and the milatary has to hold a bake sale to buy a new bomber.

every situation is different.  my son is currently in 3rd grade and in a mainstream school.  his teachers are morons and his accommodations are only helping somewhat.  

my son does have NT friends he has known since he was young.  bullying wasn't a huge issue because my son is VERY witty and was able to defend himself.

i think the entire mainstream school staff needs to be properly trained when it comes to ASD kids.  i saw this youtube video where NT kids are partnered with AS kids to help them how to socialize.  it was actually seen as somewhat "cool" by the school population.

in a perfect world i'd like to keep my son in mainstream, but have a more educated staff.  if things get worse educationally, i will have to re-think putting my son in a school that specializes in aspergers kids.  there is actually one close to my house, but i'' cross that road when we come to it.

My son also has NT friends. Last year this little boy took such a liking to my son. They went to each others birthday parties. It was nice to see at the party how everyone in the class loved my son and didnt treat him any different (2 other boys were autistic too). At my sons school the class is half typical kids and half special needs.  They dont pair them up.

My son is in a mainstream state school.  The programs they have in place are fantastic.  I had a meeting with the teachers recently and they told me they wanted the rest of the student body to start viewing Martin more positively as this would lessen the bullying.  The asked for (and gained) my permission to make small mention (no big fuss or bother just a quick word) at main assembly if Martin had done something helpful or well.  For example....the Kindergarten teacher just quickly saying "I would like to just quickly thank Martin for all his help with the kindy kids this week".  So the rest of the students don't just see Martin as "that kid who chucks tantrums".  
I think it greatly depends on the school and how they deal with things.  Mind you.....we have a 40% aboriginal student body....dark skin, brown hair, brown eyes and Martin is pale skin with bright red hair......even if he wasn't aspie he'd be a target.  But the school fosters tolerence and respect for all people and an acceptence of each person for their own gifts.
We are lucky we moved here.

I also understand that some schools just have no idea at all.  Martin's last school was like that.  Totally clueless!  They made things worse and harder.

I started out mainstreamed in a public elementary school until my parents decided to move me for 5th grade. First, they tried a private school with smaller class sizes, but that actually only made the situation worse. I was then moved into a different school that same year that was even smaller and specialized in kids with very severe learning disabilities. This program only lowered my self esteem further. (It's depressing to be doing projects and going on field trips with 1st graders in 5th grade.) My parents then moved me to yet another school for 6th grade, where I am about to finish my senior year. My school is extremely unique because it has an extremely diversified body of students academically. On one hand, it is an extremely well regarded private school that sends many students to Ivy League schools each year. At the same time, they have an active division of the school for students with learning disabilities. My school allows disabled students to have some classes in special ed, and others in mainstreamed or even advanced classes, so basically, instead of being forced to eat the entire special ed pie like you would in many other schools, you can choose the pieces you want to eat. Because of this, I was eventually able to completely transfer out of the special ed program by high school and am now taking AP classes (And getting admitted to universities in the top 50).

I still feel that my school has an amazing program, and it's disappointing that many other schools don't follow this program and force bright students, usually with AS, to remain in special ed for all subjects, instead of just some.

Want to know something interesting? The first private school I went to in 5th grade started a special ed program while I was in 9th grade at my current school. Unknowingly, I was talking at my synagogue to the school's president about my recent awards at a national competition after he approached me to "congratulate me." Shortly after, they formed a special ed program fairly similar in structure to my school's. It's funny how people learn from their mistakes.

absolutely true...in fact this 8 year old boy hung himself a few weeks ago because of it.  it broke my heart when i heard that.