Mainstreaming handicapped kids in public school, for it or against it?

Question

Mainstreaming handicapped kids in public school, for it or against it?

Answer 1

It depends on the severity of the handicap. If the handicap is so severe that it negatively impacts the learning of the rest of the class then I oppose it.

I knew someone who had a severely handicapped child in their class. The parents sued to allow the kid to attend school and the child couldn't respond, react---nothing.

Here is the horrific part---the child had life-threatening problems and had a DNR order---DO NOT RESUSITATE. So if this child started having trouble breathing (which happened once) they had to clear the classroom.

The kids in the class were less than 8 years old! What the heck do you tell a classroom of little kids who have been herded out of their classroom when their classmate is struggling to live? What do you say if the kid dies?

As you can tell, this made me pretty upset. The parents were thinking of themselves and creating an illusion their kid was going to be okay. They were NOT thinking of their child (who was barely aware of surroundings) or the other children in the class.

When the welfare of 25 other kids is put on hold on a daily basis to cater to one child and mainstream him or her---then I oppose it.

Answer 2

when I was in high school I went with kids who were handicapped even though it was a regular school. and they did just fine. I'm for it.

Answer 3

It depends on how badly handicapped they are. But for the most part, I'm completely for sending children with handicapped kids to school.

Answer 4

for, but it depends on the severity of handicap.

Answer 5

I am for it.  I say this as mother of both an autistic child, and 2 "typical" children.  Special needs kids tend to learn the best when they have typical peer role models.

The only time I am against it if its a child with a severe behavioral problem, that is extremely disruptive to the classroom and teaching.  One of my "typical" kids had a child like this in his class last year.  Every day, multiple times a day, he would scream obscenties at the teacher and his aide, hit and kick, he threated to kill one of the kids in the class, and would bolt from the class continuously.  It did not make for a good teaching environment and the kids were petrified half the time.

Answer 6

for!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I am definitely for it.  Just like a fish will grow if you put it in a bigger tank or stay the same size if he's kept in the smaller tank... kids, handicapped or not, will grow when their environment allows it.  

I've volunteered for many autistic classes where they are mainstreamed for a couple classes a day... the results are amazing.

Answer 8

For it...

Answer 9

as long as the school is equipt for the handicap and the child can cope with mainstream there is no problem..

If say a school is on 2 or 3 floors and there is no lift that will be awkward for a child in a wheelchair or with mobility problems.. But in most circumstances it should not be too hard to install lifts......My daughters primary school is on 1 level but they still had to make some adaptions as 2 pupils were having operations one summer and would be needing wheelchairs for quite sometime.. My other daughters high school which is a 2 level school installed lifts to cater for pupils in chairs or with mobilty problems.

some children will do better in a "special" school but others do better in mainstream. it all depends on each child