I am the teacher who goes to IEP meetings for children who are in self-contained special ed programs.  They needed a regular classroom teacher to be there and sign off.

Now, I don't know most of these kids but I have been teaching a long time.  Today, I attended a meeting on an autistic girl and of course, if you are there, you are supposed to say something for the input.  So, when they asked me for input I suggested they do as I always do and before the child is placed in a regular classroom for any time at all, they have the teacher talk to the students about what to expect.  I did this before they put an autistic boy in my room.  It gives the kids a sense of well-being.  It is something that they can pay attention to.  They can help him by not being mean and just reminding him to stop making noises or giggling or whatever the behavior is that is disturbing them.  So far they have been fantastic with him.  It is really working.

The lady from the district stood up and held out her hand to shake mine.  She said it was the first time she had met a regular ed teacher who was pro kids and not complaining about speds being put into their classroom.  I was shocked.  I have never minded sped kids in my room as long as they are not ED.  It is the rude and disruptive behavior I have a problem with.  I have had a lot of experience with children with all kinds of needs.  I have learned to adjust my classroom to hopefully help them learn better.  After all, that is why I am there.

I once had a little boy who was ADHD.  His mom had some very bad times with his medication and decided to take him off everything.  I finally figured out how to get him to learn.  We had a wonderful year.  He had 2 desks in the room, one in his group and one by my desk.  He actually learned when he needed to separate himself from the group  on his own.  And he would.  Then he went to Junior High and the teachers there would not take the time to listen to me.  They just said if he was in a regular class, he had to be a regular student.  He dropped out in 7th grade.  I don't know what happened to him after that.  I was crushed.  He was very smart and very funny and had a lot of potential.

I am saddened by teachers who don't try to find a solution so  kids can learn.  Yes, he could be disruptive at times, but I gave him options that helped and he loved coming to school.  Now I wonder where he is.

Please teachers out there, especially in middle school and high school, find solutions and talk to these kids.  They are often wonderful and sweet and need your attention.  Find ways to help them cope with their disabilities.  They do have a right to an education and after all, that is why we are here.