Inclusion: it effects all kids

There are points when it hinders what is going on in the classroom. Like when a child has a total meltdown and all instruction has to stop, proper channels notified, issue handled. It can sometimes take 10-15mins away from instructional time per meltdown from the rest of the class. On the other hand there are many benefits to each side so I guess it should be dealt with on a case by case basis.
 

I know one little boy who is violent. He has history and his adopted mom is doing the best, as much as I love them both, he should not be mainstreamed in a regular classroom. He is dangerous and even he admits that he is more stressed in a regular class. The mom doesn't see it as severe as it is yet I fear one day - soon - he may kill her. He has already hit her and tried to choke her. And he is a big kid, too. If he were in my daughter's classroom, I'd have him - or her - moved.

I should add, because of my DD's adoption issues she gets extremely upset when the classroom is out of control. If she doesn't feel safe, she is completely unable to cope in the classroom. In a regular classroom my DD does well. If she is in a classroom with a child who has violent outbursts (or a teacher that does!!!), she can't function. Where does my DD's "mainstreaming" rights go when in conflict with another child's?

I really don't mind mainstreamed children who can participate in class, but really what is the purpose when they can't function or maintain minimum standards of behavior?

Ds will be the inclusive kid this year, he is one of two in the class. I am not sure about it myself, but the teacher felt he was ready. They believed not being in the inclusive classroom was hindering his social development. I admit I think he was getting frustrated that a lot of his friends could not talk as well as him, and had disabilities he did not have. I will remember this post and post back after the first teacher parent conference. LOL!
 

I am completely against it if they aren't able to function and participate like other children in classroom activities. There is a child in an older grade that just up and leaves the classroom pacing in the halls. Teacher has to leave the class to walk with the child so he doesn't escape from the school. The teacher can return to the class once two other adults are there to walk with this boy.  My child's education should not have to suffer because of such behavior!!!! He is taking away teaching time from other children and that is NOT right imo. This is the same kid who digs in his pants and throws his poop. DISGUSTING behavior.

Edited to add that this kid leaves the classroom multiple times a week. 

I also have issues with kids with anger issues if they don't have a para assigned to them to control them. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookie2 
I really don't mind mainstreamed children who can participate in class, but really what is the purpose when they can't function or maintain minimum standards of behavior?

I agree with this. If they can maintain the expected standards of behavior and participate in class, I'm all for it.  If required modifications interfere with the rest of the class, then that child needs a special class.

I agree that it should be done on a case by case basis.  There are some cases where it works really well and can be a positive & learning environment for everyone; and some cases where it doesn't work at all, and some kids that just can't function in a regular classroom.  My youngest DS started kindergarten last year with one little boy in his class who I'd hear about every day with "_____ got sent to the principal's office again today or ______ was misbehaving again, so we all lost our [special reward points] and didn't get to do something fun/learning/etc."  After a couple of weeks the child was moved into another, more experience teacher's classroom, and I think it went better for everyone.  Then, sometime shortly after Christmas, same DS's classroom got a new student who has Down's Syndrome and is partially deaf (he could hear the teacher through a special microphone that she wore that went straight into his hearing aids; but he also knows sign language.  He had a para who worked with him, and he didn't take part in all of the classroom activities, but he was a wonderful addition to their classroom.  The kids got to watch sign language videos so they could learn how to talk to him, and the kids all seemed to get along well with him despite their differences.  I was glad that he got to be a part of DS's class, and I think everyone benefited from his presence there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happymom 
The trick is to have proper support. He always has a one on one assistant with him and if he is over whelmed and needs to leave the class, the assistant takes him out, not the teacher. He has really blossomed in the regular classroom and I can't believe how accepting the other kids are.

If a student is able to have one on one support, that opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. I can't imagine most schools can afford that!  For 2 years, my husband and I taught a 5-6 yo Sunday School class that included a boy with Down Syndrome.  Since there were two of us, one of us could always be there helping him behave appropriately and participate as he was able, or take him out on occasion.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by deemom 

I am completely against it if they aren't able to function and participate like other children in classroom activities. 

Ditto. The primary purpose of school is an academic education. Period. If a child causes disruptions that impact that objective then the child does not belong in a mainstream classroom. Socialization, tolerance, friendships and working with peers are all secondary purposes which do have much more leeway. But again, if there is question of a child causing harm, being violent, being very unstable emotionally then the kid does not belong in that environment. No one wants to "banish" a child outside of their peer group, but this isn't a club, it's a place of learning and the needs of the many outweigh one child's special requirements.