Remove SN from Recent Topics

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why you would take this out of recent topics? As if anyone won't be able to find the section? If you have a sensitive topic that you don't want strangers to comment on, then don't post. If you feel the comments are very offensive, then like any other post, report it.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to hide this board. You can't hide forever from dimwits.

1 SN child

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids with Tourettes. There was definitly a time early in the diagnosis that I could not have handled the rude and ignorant comments. So I vote to have it hidden.

(or have 2 like relationships - one in recent topics one not in recent topics)

[Anonymous]

I have an older LD/ADHD kid and occasionally post on here (and some people seem to appreciate perspective from someone whose LD kid actually made it through high school and to college). I only go to Recent Topics, would never click on the SN forum specifically. I don't think it's necessary to hide it.

[Anonymous]

PP -- i was like you, there was a time i could not handle the rude or insensitive comment. But i had to eventually get past it.

[Anonymous]

I think that continued proliferation of fora, combined with this type of suggestion to hide them, will dilute the value of the discussions here.

It's worth noting that the description of this forum, and others, is not a "support" forum but instead a discussion forum. Like the Infertility forum, I can appreciate that the topics here can be more sensitive and painful. that being said, there are many sensitive and painful topics posted in the other forums that are met with harsh and unkind and painful responses. That's the nature of open, anonymous discussion boards and the risk you take in participating.

Our child does not have special needs, however as an infant we were in a situation where a diagnosis of a particular SN was possible. Had I not known to search for this forum, I'd have been posting in GenParenting and then either having to cross-post or missing some valuable guidance from SN parents. Self segregating doesn't benefit the broader DCUM community here.

Jeff will do what he sees fit, but my vote is no.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think the over the top OP of the other two threads and possibly this one is now just drawing in the crazies and negative attention to the SN forum and is making it worse.

I do not understand why she does not STOP. Its getting ridiculous now.

[Anonymous]

I'm torn but leaning against this proposal. I have a child with SN and really appreciate this forum, including the fact that it is generally much more civilized than some other parts of DCUM. I understand the desire to "defend" it from assholes. But, I find it not that hard to ignore the relatively infrequent obnoxious/inappropriate posts on here.

I also usually read DCUM via the Recent Topics function, because I am interested in the other issues discussed here too, and I'm afraid I would forget to check the SN forum as much if it were taken out of Recent Topics.

I also do think there's something to be said for the value of people with NT kids just happening across the posts about kids with SN and learning something from them.

And, I don't like the symbolism of segregating it from the rest of the parenting topics as if it is completely different, or somehow inappropriate for general readership (like the sexually explicit forum that doesn't show up in Recent Topics).

And of course, this being an anonymous forum, people could still come to the SN forum and post obnoxious things even if it were not in Recent Topics.

So I guess I would vote hesitantly against removing it, but I acknowledge it would not be the end of the world if it were removed.

+ 1 I don't usually visit this forum but if someone posts a question that's about my daughter's condition then I will answer. I also think its useful to have some parents who don't have SN kids comment, especially about things related to school or activities.

[Anonymous]

Today I provided info to a SN parent asking questions about epilepsy. Never would have seen it had it not been in recent topics. Not SN myself or have a kid with SN.

Just food for thought.

[Anonymous]

I am an SN mom. I vote for taking it out of the Recent Topics feed. Not because I am ashamed and want to hide, but because too many people see a post about something like "How can I get my child to work on his hygiene" and think it is just a normal post about an ordinary kid, and post some stupid suggestions that they think are helpful because they worked for their fifth grader.

[Anonymous]

I vote against removing it. There are obnoxious people everywhere and removing this from the Recent Topics list won't change that. I want people to read this forum to try and gain a glimmer of understanding about what our lives are like. Even the threads that devolve into nonsense are worthwhile in that they shed light on the perspective of SN parents vs. non SN parents.

[Anonymous]

As a former SN child and an SN adult, I support the free flow of speech.

[Anonymous]

I worked with SN children as a teenager and I think it's important that people have the opportunity to learn about SN kids. There are idiots on every forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't agree and I have 2 kids with special needs. Why should the SN forum be hidden like it's something shameful?

I guess I'm not so sensitive about it because I too hear all sorts of these things (and worse) in real life. Maybe we as parents of kids with special needs can help educate people about the things we and our children face in real life.

Great attitude, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think the over the top OP of the other two threads and possibly this one is now just drawing in the crazies and negative attention to the SN forum and is making it worse.

I do not understand why she does not STOP. Its getting ridiculous now.

+1