Welcome to a day in my life. I can't guarantee that this will be an exciting read for anyone. My life is filled with all the mundane activities of a stay-at-home-mom just trying to raise her three sons to be the best men they can be.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Did you hear this news story?

There is a little five year old boy in Florida. He was just diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. His Kindergarten teacher decided that it was best for this boy to stand him up in front of his class and ask each student what they didn't like about him. She went around the room and asked each student to state what it was about this child that made him annoying to others. Some of the kids used words such as "disgusting". Then she asked each student to vote as to whether or not Alex deserved to stay in their classroom, and at a vote of 14 to 2, this poor child was voted out of his classroom. The only friend he has ever made in his life also had to participate in this act of assault.

Unbelieveable. After hearing this story, and crying last night, I woke up this morning enraged. I don't see how a teacher, who has been trained in today's educational practises, can honestly feel that this would be benificial to either Alex, or to any of the other children in the classroom. This served no purpose in solving any difficulty that was occuring in the classroom, it only made it worse as it encouraged the other children to see this child as "bad" and not worthy of their friendship. For a child who needs friendship and acceptance so desparately, he was placed in front of a group of his peers that he has to see everyday, and ridiculed.

You know the thing that bothers me the most, is that when I was searching this story this morning on the internet, I came across many comments from others who are in support of this teacher and what she did, blaming the child and "bad parenting". What happened to progress??? What happened to tolerance??? (by the way, the parents have been working very hard, along side with the school, to get this child tested and to come up with an educational plan for him.)

As a mother of a child who likely had similar struggles as this child (although not too many behavioural issues ) I shudder to think what would have happened to my son if he had of ended up in a classroom, school, or school board, that considers this an acceptable way of dealing with children like this. I have said many times before and I will say it again ... we are very fortunate to have teachers, a school, and a school board, that has gone out of their way to do whatever they can to help Matt with any of his issues. I know that because of them, he will be successfully graduating from high school and carrying on to University. He has been able to be successful because he has the backing of wonderful teachers, principal, and school, who have always wanted the best for him.

I also want to give a big kudos to the parents for fighting this fight for Alex. It's so easy for those who have so-called "normal" children to assume that kids like this is due to bad partenting. In my experience, those of us who have been called to raise these children end up being much better parents because they have to fight so much harder for them, they constantly have to search out ways to help their child, they have to have more patience ... and the list goes on. So to Alex's parents, and the others out there who are fighting this fight, keep it up. Our children deserve it. Our children need it. Our children will be successful because of it.

Lastly, to those parents our there who don't have a special-needs child, please teach your children tolerance, not ignorance; acceptance, not exclusion. Life is tough enough for our kids.

10 comments:

  1. WOW! That is just UNBELIEVABLE! That teacher should be made to face the same fate at that poor child!

    Sending you (((HUGS))) because I just KNOW how this made you feel!

    Christyne

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  2. did she do this with the rest of the children? people like this and those that agree with them are not even worth the time of day. how miserable of a person do you have to be to make a 5-year-old do such a thing? so ridiculous.

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  3. how sinfully awful. I hope this teacher has some sort of reprecussion to her action .. even if it is 'only' a letter of apology.

    I have worked as an Educational Assistant for 10 years now and, more specifically, with a higher functioning autistic boy (now 13). He can be miserable and rude and negative and make me want to pull my hair out! But he is also an absolute delight and funny and sweet and I love him to pieces. (in a professional way, please don't read more into it) To make an example of him - or ANYONE regardless of reason - is an absolute disgrace.

    Kudos to you for having the tears, I went right to being enraged. Poor kidlet.

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  4. This poor little guy. I don't understand why so many people feel the need to hurt others. I recall reading something that said for every 1 negative thing you say to your child it takes 10 positive things to correct it. It will take so long for this boy's heart to heal. I hope the parent's fight to have this teacher removed from teaching.

    I count my blessings each day that we are able to homeschool. I have visited our local schools and spoke with teachers here, I was very diappointed in many of them and the way they treated the kids and vice vrs. Also our neighbor is a school psy and she told me to be thankful to have my kids at home because the things that happen in elem are unbelievable. It's so sad that things can't be better than they are.
    I haven't heard this story on the news yet but I would like to hear the outcome.

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  5. I was enraged and saddened when I read this story the other day. That teacher should have lost her job by now. Every time I think our society is making social and moral progress, another nitwit shows up to prove me wrong. It makes me want to kick something.

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  6. reading your story makes me cry. how can someone do something like this to another person. that a teacher this did makes it even worst. children should have a safe environments at home and in there classes. they should be able to be their self in their school. there are not enough words to express who this makes me feel. I wish all the best for the little kid and hope there are a lot of wonderful people around him who do not accept this. (i know i wouldn't)

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  7. That is so sad. I hope the teacher was reprimanded, I hope she knows now that this isn't acceptable and I really hope she never does this to another vulnerable child.

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  8. This is the first time I have heard about this story!! I totally share in the outrage and utter disgust!
    I wonder if there was a vote about this teacher, if she would be voted out of the classroom permanently!

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  9. Hi brab my name is AZ and I am a teen with Nld tell you and your son to come visit

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  10. Anonymous10:15 AM

    Oh wow, I didn't hear about that story. My heart is so sad for that little boy and the parents. What a terrible thing to have happen... and yes, how AWFUL for that teacher to do that! What the heck was she thinking?! *sigh*

    Like you, we too have been blessed with wonderful teachers, a great school and a team of caring and capable therapists who have helped us help our son. I hope that my guy will reach the end of high school, just like yours... with his self-esteem (mostly) in tact and the confidence to go out into the world, pursue a higher education and to make a mark on the world.

    Prayers and positive thoughts are going out to that Florida boy and his family.

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