Special ed at my school....?

Question

I'm at a really good high school (supposedly) and i really feel that my school pushes people to be perfect and get perfect grades. The teachers and staff seem to think less of a student if they have ADD or ADHD. It really sucks for me, because the counslers feel that they can just pick my classes for me and decide whats best for me. I really feel ignored and wish I'd never been diagnosed with ADD. I'm having a really tough time getting out if the whole program(so i'll be treated like a normal student) Special ed is supposed to make my life easier, not make me feel stupid.

Has anyone else had the same kind of problem?

How did you deal with it?

Answer 1

I know exactly how you feel. I have been out of high school for 20 years but I sill remember being made to fee like the dumbest SOB that ever lived because of having learnig disabilities. At the time I had a hard time dealing with it but I deal with this hateful attitude that was handed my way by attending college, maintaining a 4.00 GPA,  working a respectable job, having a having people in my lfe that actually cares for me and most important is not having a criminal record. Most of my classmates, even the students that took AP classes, can't say the same. The future is unknown. Don't let this *ssholes get you down.

Answer 2

Hi cupcake,

You are a star peg trying to fit into a square hole.  Get through it!  Get through it! Don't let anyone break your spirit.  You are more than the sum of your disability. No one is normal.  Advocate for yourself.  Can other student pick their own classes?  If so, you have the right to do so as well.  Your letter is well written. You are a good writer.  Put your concerns in writing and copy it to your teachers, your counselors and your Principal.  Learn to advocate for yourself.  It is good practice for life

Answer 3

Either you or your parents (on your behalf) or both of you together need to talk to the school about making the environment more empowering for you.

Some of your basic rights at a high school are:

You get to pick your own classes with assistance from the counsellors (this is when you are old enough to choose classes rather than having to do a set curriculum designed by the school)

You get treated the same as any other student

You get the right support to assist you to make the most of your abilities

Answer 4

I'm a special ed teacher, and I'm really sorry about what you're going through. I teach at the elementary level, so I don't have a ton of experience with high school. But your teachers should not be acting that way, especially any special ed teachers. There is a huge pressure on schools to perform well on standardized tests, so sometimes teachers and administrators lose focus of what is the most important-- the students.

You need to find someone who is on your side and can be an advocate for you. It could be the special education teacher, a general education teacher, the principal, the school psychologist (not the counselor, school psych is different), or the school social worker. Someone that you feel comfortable talking to about this, and could talk to your teachers and get your voice heard. If you have to go outside the school, search for disability advocacy networks in your area that could help you.

If you need help in school, also look into a tutoring program.

Hope this helps, and I'll be thinking of you!