down's child at preschool...concerned

[Anonymous]

OP, my son had a child with DS in his preschool class last year, and it was a really positive experience for him and his classmates. He was a sweet little boy that all of the kids doted on, like a little brother that they all looked out for, helped and protected. It was a great opportunity for them to practice being gentle, nurturing, and aware of others' needs. The class had a lot of "rough and tumble" boys, and it was quite wonderful to see their interaction with this little boy. He was totally accepted as one of the boys, albeit with some extra care. Children this age are great in the way they don't bring all kinds of preconceptions and assumptions to their interactions with others who are different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The selfishness and ignorance in this post just took my breath away. I really hope that the OP is just a troll.

Has to be a troll--and the worst kind. There is no way this is real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather my kid be in a preschool, or K,1, 2 class, with a single child who has Down's than with all these disruptive ADHD, ASD and intensely disruptive SPD kids. It seems like 1/3 of this class cannot sit still and shouts out constantly -- and this is all A-OK.

Consider yourself lucky that your child doesn't have any of these issues, PP. Where did you get the idea that this is all "A-OK"? Spend a few moments on the special needs board and you will see that it's anything but A-OK for the parents who are heartsick with worry and doing everything in their power to help their children succeed in the school environment despite major challenges. Insensitivity like yours is the reason many of them will get little sleep the night before school starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how would you feel if there was a down's syndrome child in your kid's class? this is a normal preschool, not an "inclusive" school...don't know if the teachers are trained for this. I'm worried that my child won't get the attention he needs b/c the other child will take time away from the teacher, among other concerns. anyone have experience with this? they didn't tell us this when we enrolled. we are just finding out now. also, its a coop so i don't know if i am comfortable working with this child. i think they should have told us before.

I take it you did not complete high school?

[Anonymous]

ugh. OP, you are a sad, petty person.

meanwhile, i HOPE my DS gets to interact with differently abled people at his public school. i want him to learn that the world is made up of all kinds of people, each of whom has value.

also, there is the whole: there but before the grace of god go YOU!! any of us could be the parent of a special needs child. how about making their lives (and their parents') easier?

[Anonymous]

As an educator I don't really see what is wrong with the OP remarks. She is a mother concerned that her child will be getting the attention she deserves. She is also concerned that the teachers do not have the training to deal with a child with special needs. I agree that there will probably other children in the class that are more disruptive than this particular child or children that have not yet been diagnosed with sensory issues but this is the issue that she is aware of at this time. We all want our child to benefit from a great learning experience, that is all the OP wants too. Everyone on this board is so damn PC; some people post their questions honestly and others talk about it behind close doors. It all comes from the same place, not hate, not discrimination but concern for our children, which is each of our #1 priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an educator I don't really see what is wrong with the OP remarks. She is a mother concerned that her child will be getting the attention she deserves. She is also concerned that the teachers do not have the training to deal with a child with special needs. I agree that there will probably other children in the class that are more disruptive than this particular child or children that have not yet been diagnosed with sensory issues but this is the issue that she is aware of at this time. We all want our child to benefit from a great learning experience, that is all the OP wants too. Everyone on this board is so damn PC; some people post their questions honestly and others talk about it behind close doors. It all comes from the same place, not hate, not discrimination but concern for our children, which is each of our #1 priority.

I'm sure you wouldn't be giving the same lecture if "down's child" were replaced with "inner city youth."

[Anonymous]

Thank you 10:39 for bringing some sense to this discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an educator I don't really see what is wrong with the OP remarks. She is a mother concerned that her child will be getting the attention she deserves. She is also concerned that the teachers do not have the training to deal with a child with special needs. I agree that there will probably other children in the class that are more disruptive than this particular child or children that have not yet been diagnosed with sensory issues but this is the issue that she is aware of at this time. We all want our child to benefit from a great learning experience, that is all the OP wants too. Everyone on this board is so damn PC; some people post their questions honestly and others talk about it behind close doors. It all comes from the same place, not hate, not discrimination but concern for our children, which is each of our #1 priority.

Actually, many people do indeed come from a place of hate and discrimination but like to hide behind "concern" or taking a stand that they refuse to be "PC." On this board and everywhere else. I hope that's not what OP is about but we really have no way of knowing. She certainly seems best case just totally clueless. And perhaps as an "educator" you could encourage her to educate herself on down syndrome instead of cursing about people being "PC." And while you're at it perhaps reevaluate your grammar. Because wow.

[Anonymous]

Kids with Down Syndrome can be the sweetest, most wonderful children around and have a lot to offer - for this child's sake, it sounds to me like it would be a good idea for you to change your child's preschool as it isn't a great idea for the child with Down Syndrome to be exposed to someone with your bias and attitudes which can be passed on to your child. Good for that preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe the poster can withdraw her child so the school can find another family more open to the classmates at this school.

YES!

[Anonymous]

I agree with 10:39...presume the OP is coming from good intent, but focused on what's best for her child. If I don't have familiarity with how decisions are made about mainstreaming children (is that the correct word?) with SN, how do I know how/if it's going to impact my child? Why is it wrong to seek information, especially in the safety of an anonymous forum?

When a teacher has limited time and resources to devote to a classroom, even in preschool, it's not unreasonable to ask whether there will be a child (with SN or just a particularly disruptive kid) who will demand more than "his fair share" of the teacher's attention to the detriment of the other kids in the class? OP is seeking information. Did she say "I don't want no damn retarded kid in my kid's class" which would obviously be the sign of a troll trying to pick a fight. No, she didn't. So why can't we all presume that she isn't just a mom trying to learn about something she's unfamiliar with that might or might not impact her own child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: And perhaps as an "educator" you could encourage her to educate herself on down syndrome instead of cursing about people being "PC."

And isn't this what the OP is trying to do -- educate herself? Quick input from a message board from parents either of kids with SN or parents who have kids in classes with SN kids before deciding if she has the time/ability to do in-depth research on her own on the subject.

[Anonymous]

And perhaps as an "educator" you could encourage her to educate herself on down syndrome instead of cursing about people being "PC."

Cursing??? Sorry to have hurt your virgin ears. If this is what offends you might I suggest you move on to a different message board. This is not the place for you.

[Anonymous]

Actually, many people do indeed come from a place of hate and discrimination but like to hide behind "concern" or taking a stand that they refuse to be "PC." On this board and everywhere else. I hope that's not what OP is about but we really have no way of knowing. She certainly seems best case just totally clueless. And perhaps as an "educator" you could encourage her to educate herself on down syndrome instead of cursing about people being "PC." And while you're at it perhaps reevaluate your grammar. Because wow.

You seem like a good person to be judging grammar. Fragmented sentences andstarting sentences with conjunctions are all no-nos that most 3rd graders have mastered.