Private Special one on one schools Mystery?

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Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 01, 2005
Posts: 41
Location: Between NYC and Boston
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 4:44 pm    
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I was in a Special Ed high school for two and a
half years. I came to hate it becasue it was a
joke academically and the people there weren't
any more accepting than in a normal school.
It think the number of jerks was even higher,
becasue most of the students there just didn't
want to learn and ahd already given up on school.
And even though it was a special ed school, they
did nothing to help me with my difficulties in
making friends and talking to people! I eventually
got fed up with it and went back to high school,
against the wishes of those fools at the special ed
school. I actually did pretty well at high school.
I actually made friends and established myself
somewhat as a know-it-all, which for some reason
has never gotten me in too much trouble. It was
hard dealing with the idiocy of the school, but
part of that problem was the fact that the school
was run by a group of idiots with no real connection
to what was really happening in the school.

So as a result, I now think that mainstreaming is
good for Aspies. It's hard, yes, but the oppurtunites
are much better. And, (I honestly never thought I
would say this seriously), it does get somewhat better
in high school; the fragmentaion of students based on
individual interests helps a lot, although the maturity
of the student body is somewhat questionable at
times. But even then, there are always a few exceptional
people there.

Butterfly
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 14
Location: Central Valley, California
(hot and moist in the summer. Cold,
foggy and wet in the winter)
Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 7:37 pm    
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Oh my. I was mixed around so much during
grades 6-12 it probably altered my road to
academic success

5th grade: put in advance class, struggled
heavily but still went to middle school (6th,
7th and 8th grades) on regular courses.

I was kept in speech therapy courses until 10th
grade but I don't think I really learned anything.

6th grade: sent to regular math, but placement
was so high I was sent to accelerated math levels.
Started well but self-esteem and emotions brought
me back down to earth that I was demoted at the
2nd semester. I still struggled early on but I passed
easily. I flunked science, I nearly flunked guidance
class, almost flunked social studies, and language.
Those classes were mainstreamed.
6th grade was a living hell academically and
socially (teasing, bullying, and being singled out)

7th grade: all mainstream courses. Did a mediocre
job in language and social studies, okay in electives
(drafting/art), I did choose the former but placed in
the latter. Science started off rocky but I did pass
even though I felt uncomfortable there. Phys Ed.
wasn't too great, not as comfortable as in 6th grade
and I ended up with a C or something compared to
a A or B in 6th. I frequently was sent to spec. ed.
classes for half a period for assistance, keeping an
eye on me and of course evaluate me for placement.
Math was boring at first, mainstream, because I
learned absolutely nothing until later in the second
semester. Did I ever mention I missed nearly two
weeks of school due to pneumonia? Yep, on my
B-Day. 2 weeks but I improved during spring break
and returned following the days off.

8th grade: No electives (they were dropped),
Language I was put in a Sp. Ed class but I was
so high that I was later sent to an ACCELERATED
class. Then BAM! No book reports, no essays, just
basic curriculum and then I received a D. I had no
socializing capabilities, that is what doomed me.
PE I did okay. Social studies I did good, showed
some socializing weaknesses but self-esteem kept
me going. Science I started strong but it got difficult
so I went from a 1st semester A to a 2nd semester
C. Math, I was put in pre-algebra which I did well in.
I was recommended to move up to Algebra but I
didn't want to attempt accelerated courses there agian,
I felt the class style was meant more for the
academically competitive students, I didn't want to fall
apart agian.

I promoted out of middle school of course and
THANK GOD because those days really sucked.

9th grade: All mainstream courses. I struggled in
English big time. I stayed in the course but I was
put into Guided study Spec. Ed. to give me extra help.
I feel I got lucky in that course.
History: I knew the stuff, I had a B most of the way,
but I struggled in expressing things right and didn't
know how to address the problem.
Math: Algebra, piece of cake.
Science: Did well, but I don't remember a darn
thing anymore.
PE: standard PE.
Spanish: knew the stuff, but struggled maintaining
the assignments, aka homework. Homework was a
nervous thing for me to do. I was shy to do my
homework at home, I don't know why.

10th grade: HELL, I was placed in ADVANCED history
and English until I checked out on time, they looked
too complicated. I eventualy flunked mainstream
Engllish first semester, I had to drop out. I flunked
Geometry, had to drop out. I flunked Biology, had to
drop out. Struggled at first with history but I caught up
and maintained a good grade there for the whole
year. Spanish I did okay (B), PE I did for semester
2 which was pretty basic.
2nd semester I took no math, was sent down to
Sp. Ed. English and still showed some weaknesses. I
passed though. I took Geo. in summer school and passed
so I had caught up in math.

11th grade: the better year, I had been given my
AS diagnosis by now, I didn't tell the school yet but
it was better. Along with my Prozac and Buspirone
(anti-anxiety).
Year 2 algebra: passed
History: passed
sp ed english: passed (did okay)
spanish (getting more advanced): passed

Took trig and pre-calculus in summer school, phew
it was tough but i passed.

12th grade: when I finally explained my AS to
Spec Ed. teachers. I never mentioned it to the rest
of the school. I nearly fell down hill again here.

English mainstream: tough but I had a C (Eng. grades
below Cs were failing grades). Second semester I was
sent down to Spec. Ed. again (same old, same old)
Math: Calculus, I was placed with advanced students
except for maybe a couple mates. I started off okay
but then the logics, explanations, and group work
brought me down. I nearly flunked the second semester
but I was allowed to stay and be given elective credit
since my math req. were reached.
Spanish: Advanced class. Made up mostly of advanced
students, basic structure I was good at, but reports,
oral exams and essays made it tough for me. It felt like
an honors Eng. class there. I stayed and was given
elective credit.
Civics/Gov't: looked easy but I ended up with a D.
Econ: looked dull and boring, started off sloppy and
ended up in Sp Ed. level, I should've stayed at the
main level though.
Biology: A little easier this time but still had a few
problems. 1st semester okay, 2nd semester a little off.
I missed a week in the spring to anxiety bouts caused
by leaving and returning to my medications.

I graduated HS, felt relieved but sad, I wish I could've
done better (academically and socially)

Comm. College

I tried for a semester but it is tough. I qualify as a
Disabled Student so I do have opportunities to gain
extra help. I don't know when I want to try agian but
it would be good if I can.

So I have been on all academic levels in my
K-12 days (Special Ed., mainstream, and advanced).


I was really held back a lot in Special Ed. because the
curriculum there was basic stuff I knew already.
Because my socializing needs weren't met, I couldn't
go back to the mainstream courses. So therefore I
didn't see much improvement in English courses and
socializing skills.Back to top

Since people with the disability Down syndrome have some superficial Mongoloid (East Asian or Native American) facial features, the term "Mongoloid" was once also used as a synonym for "ret*d". This usage, once neutral, is now considered offensive.

Forum Moderator
Joined: Apr 01, 2005
Posts: 180
Location: Upper Midwest, USA
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:46 pm    
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Well, I've heard the term Mongoloid but
not for 30+ years. It does mean having Downs.

GH,
I think you said you were in your late 30s?
Special ed is way broader now but back then
it really was only for deaf, blind, or mentally
ret*d children. Obviously you are none of
those things but they just didn't have good
services then.

BeeBee

Deinonychus
Joined: Apr 04, 2005
Posts: 313
Location: The Peoples Republic of California
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:54 pm    
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In Anthropology, Mongoloid also refers to the
anatomic characteristics of the north central
Asian races.

Forum Moderator
Joined: Apr 01, 2005
Posts: 181
Location: Upper Midwest, USA
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 3:03 pm    
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I know Easter Seals currently run what they
call "Easter Seals Child Development Centers."
Maybe this is what your GM was talking about?
The only thing I know about them is that they exist.

You might be able to contact Easter Seals and ask
them directly if they ran a program in marin county
or San Rafeal. They probably don't have the records
anymore but they might....they might be able to tell
you about the program more?

I don't know.

1)....Things they may remember?

2)....Techniques used to allow learning?

3)....Type of Students they may remember