A National Tragedy - The Special Education Nightmare of those with Learning Disabilities

There is a place in America where parents are bullied along side their children. There is a place in the great U.S.A. where laws are broken and our government doesn't hold law breakers accountable. There is no compensation for those whose rights are violated. There is a place in the U.S.A. where people lie, sometimes under oath, where they modify documents, violate civil rights, ruin the lives of countless children, and they are still respected by society.

In fact, it is not just one isolated place, these abuses happen in cities across America, every day, to thousands of families every year. It is a national tragedy, and your tax dollars support the status quo.

What happens to thousands of intelligent children with learning disabilities, so-called "hidden disabilities"? They are belittled, demeaned, and their rights are violated, not by other children, but by adults who are supposed to care for them. The same thing happens to capable children who happen to be blind, deaf, have cerebral palsy, or some other condition that interferes with ability to easily learn in a traditional classroom.

This is a national tragedy of mass proportions, which no one knows exists until it happens to them. The day your child is identified with a learning disability may be the day your own nightmare begins. And with 15-20% of the population having a learning disability, 1 out of every 7 children, it is almost certain YOU know someone living this nightmare today.

Parents are often shocked to find out how "the system" really works and about teachers who have quit their jobs because they couldn't stand another minute of the nightmare. The truth is that what goes on behind closed doors in public schools harms children every day.

"What can be done?" You can help.. Especially if you are friends with a teacher. Teachers are in an extra difficult position because they are often caught between the school administration and the parent. Be supportive and understanding of anyone dealing with developmental disabilities in children -- whether a parent or a teacher.

For parents you know, you can help by being a friend, by offering to take care of their children when needed (especially for school meetings), and understand that these parents are often under significant stress. The parents often are required to miss work to attend to their child's educational needs, may be stressed by the abuse they and their child receive from people who lack compassion or understanding, and often have to deal with their child's meltdowns daily after school. Completing homework is often a battle of tantrums and tiredness, and anything you can do to help support the parent will be welcomed.

For teachers, rally behind them. Encourage them to do what is right for the children even in the face of a resistant administration. Teachers need to know that chosing between what is RIGHT and what is EASY are two entirely different matters--while doing what is right may be more difficult, this choice is the only one that will give them peace of mind in their lifetime and may potentially SAVE the life of a child that will seldom receive educational support from the educators in his life. SO often, administrators want to do what is easy--as little as possible--at the expense of the child's future. A teacher who can stand up to a minimalist administration is a rare gem, indeed, MUCH loved by the parents of any child he or she helps. These rare gems need to be loved and appreciated for the strength, compassion, and integrity it takes to do what is right. Show these teachers appreciation every chance you get, even if it is not your own child they are helping. Parents of the child with special needs are often so drained of time and resources that they can hardly do anything but say "Thank You" -- And if you are one of those parents with a rare gem of a teacher--BE SURE to say "Thank you!"

Give kudos and support where deserved, and NEVER fall into the trap of supporting a whining teacher who is upset about "Having" to provide mandated educational services to a child with special needs. If you console a "woe is me" teacher, who is truly exasperated at having to help a child in need, you will be feeding the cultural mindset in American Schools wherein laws are broken because people don't feel they should "have" to support a child with disabilities. If our educators don't want to educate EVERY child, then, in my opinion, they shouldn't be in a PUBLIC school classroom. Because EVERY child deserves an education, including those who are more difficult to teach, every child deserves a teacher who cares enough to do what needs to be done.

So, enough of my long soapbox.. I just wanted to share this perspective seldom seen on the "outside" of special education by those without children who have special needs. It is a lot different walking in these shoes than I ever imagined it would be before I stepped into them. If you're like most other people outside, looking in, you haven't a clue how much lead is in the soles of the Special Education shoes. If you care enough to show compassion, support, and encourage people in the educational establishment to do the right thing--not the easy thing--then I give many thanks and hugs to you.. ESPECIALLY, if you are a teacher!!

Learning Abled Kids - A National Tragedy

Learning Abled Kids -
A National Tragedy