Shadows, Specters & Services

“I would never do that to him. I don't want him to be treated differently."

During a recent event a parent was overheard sharing their experience with their student in school.  As the conversation continued they began explaining why they had not sought out special education services for their student. 

Love, and protection were evident on their face as the thought of the stigma of their student being identified as learning differently formed in their imagination. 

Think, sending a kid to bed and there being a fear of monsters.  

The trepidation over not doing enough to support their student in school was no match for the terror of their student being labeled as different, or worse- having that label follow the student all through school.

Think, pinning a "KICK ME," sign on their own student's back.

It is something of a quagmire to me that there are negative connotations and attitudes associated with receiving support in school when one needs it.

When I was a teen, a relative of mine got into an accident involving a car.  They were injured and required support.  We were all present when it occurred, however only the relative was impacted by the car and therefore only the relative required the intervention from the trained professionals summoned to support them. Somehow, had my relative and/or their parents refused, "services," they would have been thought to be foolish. 

Parents can be discouraged in their efforts to have their students receive the necessary interventions from [the] qualified professionals in school[s] because the fear of the stigma looms like a dark shadow.

Think, spooky monster sneaking up on an unsuspecting victim.

Students that require special education services will indeed be treated differently; much like my relative, because they have to be.  The individualized  and specially designed instruction is intended to accommodate the student's needs and to enhance the student's learning experience.

It is disheartening that parents and families can be intimidated out of assisting in their student's educational experience by the insensitivity and callousness that lurks behind every desk and chair, in every room that their students would attend.

Think, the tension that one experiences when visiting a haunted house at a carnival.

Schools, and classrooms should be inclusive, and affirming for all students.  Parents should be confident that their students are receiving what they need, from the people that can provide it with compassion, and empathy.

Inclusion is connection to, and the foundation of, relationships within the school community. It must be more than a , “buzz,” word. Administrators, teachers and staff are charged with being courageous enough to create a school climate that doesn't allow the specter of shame to inhibit families and students from accessing and/or taking full advantage of the resources in the learning environment.

Think, "I ain't afraid of no ghosts!"

Inclusion works to the advantage of everyone. We all have things to learn and we all have something to teach.

-Helen Henderson