Special Education Students and?

Question

Im looking for information on how students perceive special education classmates. In particular I'm looking to see the difference in kids of a younger age and kids that are older. Does anyone know of any sites or books i could read that would give me information on this topic??????? thank you!

Answer 1

I guess I have a unique perspective on this topic.  I am a 18 year old (on Sunday) high school senior in Special Education (I am covered under ASD).  I was diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorder when I was in third grad e and was placed on a 504 plan (sort of like an IEP but not as strong it allows for some accomadations ie my learning disorders influence my handwriting so I am (and was) allowed to type things that other students had to hand write it.  It was kind of intresting.  My parents did tell me after I was diagnosed (After many hours of taking tests at a local famous medical instituion.   However, because I was not in special education at that point I still did not understand it.  I did see some of the students with servre learning disorders (often accomapnied by mental retardation) and I assumed all special education students were like that.  (I was still really young at that time).  In sixith grade I was placed in special education because at that point I finally qualified for an IEP under the SLD category.  When I was in there I learned that many of my class mates that were in my normal clases where in special ed as well.  When I was in ninth grade it was determined that I no longer qualified under sld and was dismmissed from special education.  Then when I was 16 I was diagnosed with Asperger's and qualified for special education under (ASD).  I take AP clases right now.  To this day when I tell some friends that I am in special education they are shocked because I am "the smart one".  BTW when I was picking up my schedule for last semester the lady who gave it to me thought there had been a mistake because I was in both AP clases and special education.  I guess I am kind of unique I have been in both special ed and out of special ed.  In high school I think people are more aware that students in special ed do not necesarily (did I spell that right?) have mental retardation. However there is a perception that at least in my school that students in special education are often the ones that have behavioral issues and that are not going to succed in life.  If you are a high school student I suggest you talk to the students in special ed you might often find that they do not like how some people assume that those in special ed are unintellgent or lazy.  If you are a college student I am sure you can find a plethora of resources online.  There are some yahoo groups out there for special ed students.  The spell checker is not working I apologize in advance.  I hope this can help I am not sure I can name any books or websites of the top of my head.