Re: Re: I talked to my daughter about possible diagnosis!

March 17, 2008

Something else, I'm really questioning a fully inclusive education.

Inclusion needs to be a choice that is made by the parents of the child, and

the child also depending upon age. All children are different, like all

people. What may be right for one can be wrong for another, so what is

important is that we have options! Nothing is worse than one or a group of

people

making decisions for us like we are small children!!! To include, or not to

include- THAT is the question for PARENTS- not officials. LOL.

In a message dated 3/17/2008 3:50:10 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

fightingautism@... writes:

I think the doctor that told you to hide it doesn't know what he's

talking about. Like my analogy of hiding from a child that they only

have one leg, it's just impossible and not fair to the kid.

Something else, I'm really questioning a fully inclusive education.

My reasoning is some of what you said, that your daughter prefers

being around others like her. If we look at society, like people are

attracted. When I was growing up there were a handful of African-

American students; most of us felt no animosity toward those of

differing skin color, but throughout school those students always

sat together. I noticed the same thing at college. I don't think

it's because they want to be segregated, but we prefer to be with

similar people. At school I tend to enjoy being around the more

mature students than the young kids, at church I tend to sit with

family, etc. It's only natural those with autism would want to be

with others with autism.

Sure, our kids need to understand how to function in society in

general, and society needs to understand how to function with those

with autism. But this focus on forcing inclusion at the risk of

preventing a community I'm liking less and less as I watch Allie

grow.

Recently I was talking with the mom of an adult son who is deaf. We

have a state-run school for the deaf in our town. Deaf students LOVE

that school because they have developed a community unique for their

lifestyles. Is it really so wrong having a " school for the autism, "

not to discriminate or shun, but to allow community?

Debi

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