What is stigmatization mean to you? No jokes please!!?

Question

Our deaf child was removed from the general education classroom, the committee considered the potiential harmful effects on the student and on the quality of services which the student needs such as - stigmatization and diminished access to a full range curriculum.

Our 5 years old deaf child is very intelligent and so motivated in learning so many educational resources in elementary school. Why would they do that based on stigmatization???

THanks!

Answer 1

This is a very good question. It is usually the opposite. Many children are stigmatized because they are placed in special classes. I haven't heard it used the other way around. Very strange.

I can see the part about diminished access to the regular curriculum, given your child's age. He needs specialized instruction at this point to get used to how he will end up accessing the school environment and learning in general. He may be given an FM device if he has residual hearing and needs to learn to use that so later he can use it in the regular classroom. The same goes for lip reading or sign.

However, there is going to come a time that he should be placed in the regular classroom, stigmatization being one of the reasons. As kids get older, they tend to get teased about being in a special class. If he is able to do the academics, at some point, you need to push for regular ed placement with a sign language interpreter or FM system. He is not going to live his life among other deaf people all of the time, so he needs to learn to adapt to the hearing world as well.

I can tell you right now that the school district may fight you when it comes to getting an interpreter for his regular class, unless a number of other deaf kids are placed in it as well. To get ready for this you need to read through your Procedural Safeguards booklet that will tell you the steps you need to take if you disagree with the IEP. In addition, go to the Wright's Law website to read up on your rights under the Individual with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA).

Answer 2

I would be very concerned with my child being stigmatized, traumatized and deprived both educatonally and socially in gen ed...there is just not enough time for the teachers to do justice and education your child.  They did the right thing by removing...but now rather than leave you high and dry, they should provide alternatives!

I don' know what state you live in and/or the resources that you have available to you, both in the community as well as assets or pocketbook, but .. a 5 year old deaf child should be in a class where he/she has a smaller group, where he/she will get the attention with ciriculum specially adapted for and with other deaf children.  Where learning is specifically designed to accomodate their needs.

The large class sizes that exist in schools today are a real hinderance to our children...I think the profession of teaching is an honorable one...however the good people are not getting paid enough and are leaving the profession in droves or just not going into it.

You might want to research your areas test scores interview some principals and/or teachers and see whats available to you in your area.

If the saying that "the teacher teaches to the brightest and smartest" in a classroom,is a correct statement, how would your son/daughter have a chance?  Communication skills are difficult enough to acquire, even when you have the ability to hear.

Good luck and happy holidays.