Question for special education teachers regarding BD/ED placement.?

Question

I've been doing observations for a graduate class, and I'm finding that special education placements for mentally and physically handicapped students are generally those two groups combined and then broken down by ability levels...but that the kids with BD and/or ED are then lumped together even if the disorders are extreme. My question is, because some of those ED students are academically able but struggling with perhaps anxiety or depression, is that placement possibly damaging to them to be with kids whose BD issues might be disturbing or extreme? How do you as a special education teacher feel about this; have you seen any kids who either thrived or really did not in this situation? Again, this question is only about whether the combination of BD and ED kids is positive or negative.

Thanks, and I can't wait to hear what you think, because I'm honestly not sure of my own opinion at this point.

Answer 1

I'm not a teacher but would like to answer from a legal perspective.

Schools are NOT suppose to lump all BD/ED kids all together. They are suppose to do what is the best for each individual child.

They do not do this because lumping them all together is just convient for them.

YES this DOES hurt the kids who don't need to be in there.

BUT, schools do not care.

All they care about is saving money by doing wrong.

Answer 2

Okay, I'm not a special ed teacher either.... but I am the mom of an academically able kid who was ED all thru HS, and was in a class that was mixed (lumped seems a little harsh) BD/ED.  

Since she needed the small class size, and ver strict rules in place... to feel safe... this was the only placement that seemed able to work.  I think that since the class sizes are so small, the teachers can work with each individual -but it is very challenging.  I do not feel that it was the best experience, only that it was the best that was available.

While she found it very challenging, especially at first, she did thrive. Completeing HS in normal amount of time, making connections within and outside of school, was accepted to a "prestigious" SUNY School, and is at college at this time.

So, each kid is an individual... but ED kids do need to learn to handle difficult situation, and so long as there is good oversight... it can be okay in the long run.