I have been working with special education students this year?

Question

in various schools - elementary, middle, senior high - and am

shocked by the fact that most of the students are just behavior

problems. Parents want the schools to correct what they did wrong with their kids. Some, I agree, have deep seated emotional problems, but most of them are just brats.

If they don't want to read out loud or take a test they say they don't want to, or throw the paper/book on the floor. They disrupt the classes for other kids and are dealt with by being ignored (because they want attention) or with psychology (which never works.) I've seen some pretty bad behavior and heard some rough language.

Can anyone who is a special ed teacher tell me why this is allowed? These kids are not learning and do not want to learn.

Mostly, their parents do not care about them.

I feel so sorry for the teachers who have to deal with this. They are not using their skills - just baby sitting brats. This is called Resource Special Ed.

Answer 1

Students act out for two reasons:  to avoid something or attain it.  For example, the student may act out to avoid his work because it is too hard for him, and hasn't been differentiated, this happens a lot in special ed, especially resource, where at the middle school level, the resource teacher is expected to serve as a homework helper by the regular ed teachers, even though this is like giving the child a fish, instead of teaching him to fish!!

Students also act out to gain something such as attention.  Many special ed students crave attention from teachers and other students, sometimes because they are very insecure due to the lack of academic abilities.

Disabilities are NO EXCUSE to act out, and shouldn't be tolerated in the classroom.  Teachers need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask themselves, "Am I serving this child the way he needs to be?"  I have seen several beautiful turn arounds in behavior when I have responded the the student's needs appropriately.   For example, if you have an ADHD student that is always up and chatting or running around, one solution is to let him serve as classwork checker and board cleaner.  Every time he finishes a few problems in class, make sure his answers are correct and let him go around and check his classmates' papers!  He is learning, helping others and staying on task.  He can clean the board after checking that it is okay as well.  He will feel important as well.  Spend your time as a teacher differentiating assignments so that student's can do them independently and feel successful.  Collaborate with the regular ed teacher so your student doesn't get marked down, and write modified assignments  into the IEP!  Good luck!

Answer 2

By law, any child that is in special ed can only be qualified to be in it if their 'problems' are causing them to not be able to access the curiculum and suceed in the classroom.

They can't be put in special ed ONLY for bad behavior. The bad behavior has to be affecting their learning.

What are the teachers suppose to be doing to help them?

In some cases, a child will still 'act out' if what the teacher is doing to help them is not helping them.

In this case, the IEP needs to be changed to something that WILL help them.

I can understand what you mean, though. If they truly dont' WANT to learn or try, then it doesn't matter HOW you help them or WHAT you use to help them.

I have heard that lots of schools just put kids in special ed so the school can GET MORE MONEY.

In some cases it has nothing to do with the parents and/or kids being 'bad'.

I have heard of schools putting kids in special ed against thier parents consent, which is ILLEGAL.

I really agree with Holly Wood's answer. Very good.

Answer 3

Please do not call special education students brats. Special education students are no more likely to be brats than regular ed students.

If the students are out of control or disruptive, then there should be a discipline plan in place. This is not a problem of poor parenting alone. This is a problem of poor, unfocused classroom disclipine and a poor special ed department which is not addressing behavior.

Yes, there are sorry parents out there. But there are also sorry teachers.

In addition, sometimes kids with learning disabilities have these behaivor problems as a defense against having to struggle with work. In short, it's better to be thought of as "bad" than as "stupid".  These students would give anything to be able to do the work but they have experianced failure so much they've given up. This is a problem which must be addressed directly and explicitly.

Just my two cents.

Answer 4

Psychotherapy DOES in fact work if done properly and the proper techniques are used. Thinking like you do, is the reason why teachers and aides get burned out on their jobs. Many times, there are reason behind the behavior. Sometimes the person literally needs to be taught how to control their behavior. If the targeted behavior is not addressed, then the student will not improve. Yes, planned igonoring works some of the time, for some behaviors, and for some people but not for all. A huge problem is the fact that so many teachers are not trained effeciantly on behavior mng. They use ineffective methods, such as taking away break/recess, writing sentences, etc.

On average, I would have to disagree with you to the fact that most are just behavior problems. If you are talking about the reason why they are placed into special ed. Sp-ed and regular ed students, both can exhibit behvaioral problems.

Answer 5

Students are in special education because they qualify by law.

Unless you are professional trained with at least one of the degrees that the teachers, psychologists and therapists have, then you should not snap to such judgments.

Psychology techniques do work. They all take time. Rapport can also be a key factor. Students accept some people and reject others.

Parents are often tired after 24/7 times years of care and attention. The patience of a saint should not be expected of them.

You should feel sorry for the kids who have such strong feelings that they cannot live normal lives. Some are there because they come from drug addicted parents. Some are there from medical mistakes. Some are there because of genetic problems. Some of them are there for unknown reasons, but they do exist and someone with compassion needs to meet their needs. I suggest you substitute for some other class.