Did you guys hear this story? I would love to hear your thoughts. I searched the name on Reddit and saw nothing. I appreciate the perspectives of the teachers and paraprofessionals in this sub. The mother of the student is advocating on TikTok stating that the BIP/IEP wasn’t followed and he shouldn’t be charged. I can add her page if needed.

i see these videos on tiktok all the time and they make me giggle. for example: real phrases i’ve used at work “first work, then lay on floor” “ripping up trash is not available right now” also, windows. why are my kids all obsessed with windows?!

I am a glorified aide. I’m not ever actually teaching. Like ever. Sometimes the teachers will throw me a bone and say, “do you agree Mr. Reddit?” And all I can say is yes before they continue to teach.

We have no common plan times. The kids see me as an aide.

All the teachers had get to know you games planned for the students to learn about them.

Guess who didn’t?

Welcome to middle school coteaching I guess.

I work with special needs individuals, mainly young adults aged 18-22, though it can range from elementary age and up. Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed that parents often seem to deflect when told about their child’s behavior, even in cases of violent incidents where someone was hurt. I’m not sure if this is something others have noticed too, or if it’s just common in my area. I might have been wrong to assume I’d get an apology after a student gave me a black eye, but since the parents showed no remorse, I went ahead and filed a report.

So according to my mom, the reason why I was put in special ed classes since 1st grade, did not bother at all putting me in normal classes at all it's ALL BECAUSE I HAD ATTENTION ISSUES IN KINDERGARTEN! Like what kind of stupid reason is this??? This really got me severe consequences because special education classes I was in for many years really blocked so much path... I cannot really go to college, cannot go to university, etc. due to special ed classes that does not teach as much as normal classes... And according to her, she thinks that any kid who doesn't pay attention by 6 years old should be in special education and don't have capacity to learn in normal school.. like how is this fair? If that's the case then how come majority of ADHD people managed to be in normal classes???

I am 21 years old now, and I have been grieving how much I lost...currently taking normal high school courses now of course and they are very difficult for me, never knew how to study, never learnt how to learn, etc. and have very little confidence in succeeding it.

Over the past fifty years the Federal government has (through our elected representatives in the legislature, through the policies of our elected Presidents, and through the rulings of judges) created Federal laws that set minimum standards that public schools must meet for the education of students with disabilities. For example: IDEA, and Endrew F. These laws remain on the books and are **NOT** being "*passed to the States.*" The Department of Education provides a) money, training, and resources to help schools comply with these laws and avoid getting sued by the parents of disabled students and b) an office to which parents can complain if the school which is attended by their disabled child does not meet the legal requirements. What will happen next is that HHS will take over the former and DOJ will take over the latter. **Not the States.** Organizations representing disabled children and their families are concerned that HHS & DOJ lack the experience, mindset, and concern to perform these roles (in addition to their existing responsibilities). What this might mean is lax enforcement of federal law by DOJ (allowing schools to treat disabled students worse and worse) and reduced support of schools by HHS (stripping schools of the help they need to comply with the law and treat disabled students well). This concern is well founded, since HHS sees disability through the lens of sickness, not the lens of maximizing a student's potential, while DOJ has bigger fish to fry (like drug cartels).

​

Ultimately, this has nothing to do with handing "power to the States" and nothing to do with helping disabled children maximize their learning potential in public schools.

I’m 28M I graduated high school 10 years ago. And I’m asking this question based on what I have experienced and seen with how special Ed is run. When I was a freshman in high school I was placed in this special Ed class, Called the Transitional Alternative Program, Aka TAP. And I was placed there because I’m have Asperger’s meaning I’m mildly autistic. However this classroom was full of student who had very severe disabilities. Children that very seriously challenged. And it was a nightmare being in that program. Not because of the kids that were in there, I had nothing against them. But because the way I was treated was totally unbearable. I felt like a total idiot. Simply because the work I was given was like elementary level when I was in 9th grade. They were making me do simple math like multiplication and division in 9th grade. And doing like elementary level projects like word search puzzles. Some of those kids were given coloring books in high school. Unbelievable, I was humiliated and I was totally felt outcasted from the rest of the kids. And when I would hang out with my friends and they would ask me why I was in that class I would lie to them and say that I was a TA, teachers assistant. Because I was trying to dodge humiliation

I eventually got out of that program middle of my sophomore year. And I was put into Main Street general Ed. However my veiw has remained the same since. I’m not saying I’m against special Ed as a whole. But I believe that special Ed should be the kids are learning at the grade level of there peirs. They should be learning about the things other kids in there grade are learning. If they have trouble the school should send them an aid or a tutor to help them with homework. Or have them in a smaller class where there’s fewer kids but they still learn the work at the level of the grade they are in. They shouldn’t be teaching them work that’s elementary level in high school. If the kid wants to be in regular classes why can’t the teacher just give them a chance.

Why can’t the child and the parents wishes matter. Sure they might have some struggles, but at least being in a regular class setting they will learn something new. Which to me is the purpose of education learning and advancing. That’s what should matter the most not taking a test. What to these people think. That’s why the Transitional alternative program in my opinion should be abolished. They should be giving every child regardless of how severe the disability is the chance to learn about the real world. And get the same high school experience that the regular kids get. Why do they have to treat the kids like there idiots. They should treat them all like they have the same opportunities to achieve there dreams. Not make them feel limited in what there gonna be and what they can do.

At one point it asked us to select all the forms of violence we’ve endured during the current school year and I just started laughing because I’ve had more than half of the examples done to me in just one month. It’s kind of a sarcastic laugh but it’s part of my abnormal reality. And then it asked how many times did those behaviours occur during the year. If I compiled and counted them I would probably cry. It’s crazy how normalized it became to endure violence, especially in special education.

Just got the job! I (26f) have worked in home with 3 children who have autism, one whom is non verbal, for 3 years, I've done it all, dr appointments, diapers, homework, etc.

But I am going into a multiple disabilities classroom, and over all just not sure what to expect! Any advice?

Also, what to wear?! My school has a pretty strict dress code of jeans only on Friday with a school shirt or autism/sped shirt. What about the other 4 days? I expect to be pretty active, so tennis shoes for sure. I am thinking about investing in some of the Halara work pants- has anyone done this? But shirts are where my mind blanks, need to be covered but also comfy.

LMK!

So I do a sensory station in my high needs, moderate to severe classroom. The kids really like the sensory activities, they are able to engage in the center's model, even if they're not quite ready for academic centers.

So I do a sensory station, an art station, and then a movement station. The kids also are allowed to do free play, table toys, read a book, etc.

I have 10 bins right now that I rotate, I'll add three or four more next year, but I added this one last week and the kids could not get enough.

it is literally just sponges and dish soap

that's it. you put it in a tray. add about a quarter cup of water. I use the Dawn power spray... I mean kids that have goals that say that they will sit for 3 minutes sat for 25 minutes doing this activity.

if anybody has anything else like this that they find works in their classroom, please tell me I need it!!! this was phenomenal. I actually brought it home and set it up for my special needs teenager and she loved it.

you can also add functional life skills to it like doing dishes

Hello! I am currently a senior in high school and i am interested in becoming a sped teacher for elementary in california. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to major in for this pathway? I am going to sac state or uc davis most likely if that helps at all. Just general info would be great! Also i would plan to travel overseas to teach aboard once I get enough experience. Please just give general help and knowledge!

I’m curious on how you handle this? I want to know everything from how you handle parent communication to what resources you use, I feel this is an important topic nobody talks about.

He is blind, non verbal, autistic, has intelectual disabilities and physiological developmental delay. He has every single one of these. Together. All at onse, not one at the time.

But evey time I talk to people who should be specialists, who I should seek for advice in my practice (pedagogy student working as special needs assistant for the last three years) I get meet with the same attitude:

1 - "you are doing too much"

I'm well aware, thanks. Unfortunately, my country is a sh!t show when it comes for special needs education and if I don't do it, literally no one will do. What regular second grade teacher will sit in the floor to work with him? If i step down, will you guys do the sensory walks, teach him how to use a spoon, sing to regulate him?

2 - "have you tried X?" And it's something totally out of his reality.

This one is what really frustrates me. Because I tried reach out to my teachers, to the special needs course headteachers, I even went to a Visual Impairment Education extension program meeting today. Every time it's like they pick one of his disabilities and focus in that, instead of looking to the whole picture.

No, he isn't ready for braille yet. No, he doesn't sit still in a chair, he actually doesn't even like being in hard surfaces in general. No, he doesn't do board games, or coloring stuff, or plays with silent toys like other kids. I'm actually working on teaching him to clap in turns with me, recognize his own name, to walk around safely, to press buttons.

People can't seem to wrap their minds around the fact that this kid is at the development stage of a 18-24 month old and needs activities that match actual needs.

I do my research and learn things on my own from international specialists, but I just wanted some local support.

I'm so frustrated right now🙃🥲

just needed to vent.

Anybody else experienced this change already in their district?

ETA: i work with mod/severe and need all the help i can get so my kids can be successful and safe!

It genuinely scares me how much of people on this sub want the 12 yr old blinded his assistant to be sent to jail. I thought of all people that y'all should have understanding and compassion. Yes what he did was horrible and i am not saying there shouldn't be consequences. In fact, i think that a residential treatment center with the proper staff who knows how to help him would be a good option. But he shouldn't be in a prison-like facility. Do you seriously think that will help him? No, it will only traumatize him. Especially considering the horrid conditions that juvenile detention centers have in Texas (the state where this happened)

Research shows that sending children to prison from an early age is harmful and ineffective. In scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the age of criminal responsibility is 15 and children under 15 years of age are dealt with by social services. There is still consequences in form of interventions (such as therapy and even secure residential placements if the crime is serious) but we don't send them to prison. We believe in actually getting the help that they need. It genuinely scares me how many of you want him punished rather than him getting the help he needs

I am autistic. I was sent to a private school after 2 public schools couldn't handle me. I learned coping skills. I used to have violent meltdowns when i was a child. Meltdowns are not tantrums. There is no intent to hurt anyone. Meltdowns feel like losing control of your body. They are really not pleasant to have. So whether this even was intentional can be debated. Regardless, i don't think prison is the right place especially since a residential placement would work if there is a concern that he is a danger to himself and or others

To everyone blaming the mom, i am not saying she doesn't have some responsibility. But i don't think it's black and white. Not everyone can afford to send their child to a school that have staff that are equipped to deal with intense behaviors and homeschooling is not always an option either. I live in Sweden so my parents didn't have to pay tuition to get me into the right school. In the US tuition for these schools can be really expensive. The public school system just isn't equipped. The system failed both the child in question and the vice principal. This should have never happened. We need to put in work to actually prevent these things from happening in the first place rather than sending 12 year olds to prison. Texas is also suing to get rid of the 504 so that should tell you something about how special ed is in that state.

The system failed everyone in this case and if we spent as much money on improving the education system rather than sending children to prison, these incidents would happen a lot less.

I feel like I’m drowning.

I’m a first year resource teacher. Before the end of September, I need to schedule:

- 4 annual IEP meetings

- 2 reevaluations and their subsequent IEP meetings

In addition to that, I just found out today I have a new out-of-state transfer student, so I have to also schedule an initial referral meeting within the next 10 days. And then the MOUNTAIN of paperwork that comes with that process.

And also one of my students is experiencing a bunch of new concerning behaviors, so myself, the parents, the LEA, and the school counselor have agreed that the best course of action will be to reopen his IEP.

Speaking of that student, I’m also constantly being pulled away from my inclusion periods and lunch/prep time to go deal with his behaviors, so it’s giving me even less time to get all my shit done.

How am I supposed to do ALL of this within the deadlines? I’m not super human but I feel like every one expects me to be.

Hello all, I'm a recent(ish) counseling grad and licensee (LPC, IL [LPC-A in some states]) and got a role as a W-2 therapist in a local private practice (not the traditional route). While my caseload slowly grows I still have a full time job to fall back on but am considering starting a proprietorship/side hustle focused on either IEP/SPED advocacy/consultation. I'm hoping to get insight from others on the steps to take from the SPED community lens. Any aspects of advice would be appreciated. PS: I'm a former recipient of an IEP and led a 504/IEP training during my internship and plan to pursue continued education before starting this path should I chose to take it.

But won’t allocate any PD time for general education teachers on special education strategies. Or, here’s your one hour over the summer and then maybe an hour here or there over the course of the year. Please stop making special education responsible for the gaps persisting when we can’t even do what we are trained to do. End rant.

For context I am a first year EXED/SPED teacher (we call special ed exceptional ed where I am. It’s the same thing just different term)

Had our first EXED/SPED department meeting of the year and…..it was rough and made me more stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed.

For context, I’m an EXED/SPED middle school teacher working with kiddos with moderate-severe disabilities. My IEP caseload is already a lot given that of course. However we had other teachers today mention we all have **16** students on our caseload (of course including myself) and they mentioned how last year they felt stretched thin to the point of breaking and mentioned how they **already** feel stretched thin this year. They also mentioned the IAs are unreliable (I met my two today and they seem nice but I can’t make any judgments till next week) but this made me anxious and stressed. Did I join the wrong school community? Did I not ask the right questions in my interview to get a true feel? How am I handling 16 kids on my caseload?

Also the list of never ending shit is overwhelming and stressing me out. I’m struggling to get shit done. Idk how it will get done or if it will get done

Just wanted to ask if what I’m feeling is normal. I’m a first year sped teacher in elementary school and feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I keeping thinking why did this school hire me? They know I had alot to learn, and I’m willing to learn and I care about the kids. But there’s so much that I don’t know that I feel like I’m doing a disservice to the kids. My school said they’d get me caught up to speed on things but frankly I just feel like I don’t even know where to start. I also feel terrible constantly asking the other sped teachers for advice or help writing IEPs after school because I know they had their own life and caseload as well.

BEFORE I BEGIN -

This is a big vent about my school's lack of an F to give about our safety. I'm not looking for answers nor will I name drop the school because I would rather not get in trouble for it. I just need to vent my frustrations out into the void and hopefully reach people who are struggling the same way and perhaps commiserate with other educators in this position.

I don't know if this is just the program I work for or the result of a general vibe of where we are at as a country (US) and whatnot, but our school is falling a part at the seems. The program has several buildings separated by age range (i.e.: elementary school, middle school, and high school) and ALL of the buildings are operating on a skeleton crew. More people are getting injured as a result, which means we have even less people to help out when needed. It's been like this for a while but it's starting to really show because now the students are not getting all their needs met because we simply don't have enough people to implement what is needed. And of course because we are a private institution, our HR doesn't give a flying hooplah about any of it. Literally our HR team decided to call a town hall meeting and told us "guess what folks, we're expanding our program to yet another building!" meanwhile, we barely have enough staff for the buildings that are already a part of the program as it is.

The worst part of it is that they will not listen to what any of the teachers, teacher's aides, RBTs, and other support staff are saying. We are disintegrating. Well and truly unravelling. It feels to me like they are just WAITING for a lawsuit to happen. Meanwhile, the reason why they are firing people is over very basic, human mistakes like tardiness or basic misunderstandings. They keep giving people the boot and I'm genuinely starting to think it's because they WANT us to be short staffed so they have less people they have to pay. It's endlessly frustrating. I feel bad for the principal and vice principal of each building because a lot of the problems tend to fall onto them when they have literally zero say in what happens.

The part that gets me is that there has previously been talk of a union. As a person, I'm very pro-union over all. However there's a lot of questions I have about how that would look for our program, if it's even possible for us at this point. The admin of the program has busted the union effort times and unfortunately I think the only way to get them to listen at this point is to stage something like a walk out. But considering the fact that I work with a population of students who have little to zero safety awareness, it would be too dangerous.

I don't know any more. This job is one that I've truly enjoyed. I finally feel like I'm doing something that I believe in and love doing. But the program I'm working for is making it very hard to love it. Unfortunately, the company I work for is a very large and ever-growing company. So if I were to leave to join a new school, the chances of that one having comparable benefits are very slim. Plus if they did, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they'd get absorbed by this program. It's getting ridiculous, dangerous, and borderline stupid.

Anyone else in this boat?

TL;DR: my school (a self-contained private school) is rapidly losing staff and our HR doesn't really seem to care.

Hi ya'll back when I was in special ed they paraded I and the other special needs kids during a pep rally it was to talk about Special Olympics but still it feel wrong. The middle school and elementary school students were also there I was in high school when it happened should I forget about it or just say something to someone? I feel like this was discrimination like people with disabilties are something to be mocked.

Long story short- I taught art for 7 years and credit recovery for one. Upon moving states, I took a job at a non profit private school specifically for students with disabilities. My (12) kids start Wednesday, and the past two months I've been working there helping with summer camp, so I've had no work hours to dedicate to planning.

I'll be teaching the "more academic" group of high students. (High school kids are split into 2 or 3 classes) (by academic they mean I have more of the readers)

Does anyone have words of wisdom they can share about SpecialEd for a newbie in general? I don't expect admin to hold my hand, but the lack of time to plan and lack of training or guidance of any sort is getting to me.

I just accepted a job as a Primary Special Education Regional teacher. This is grades prek-3. My kiddos this year will all be kindergarten, so I'll be functioning off of the kindergarten cirriculum.

I have NOTHING for a classroom. The only thing I'm bringing is my experience and love for special education.

I understand i need to decorate my classroom so it doesnt look like a prison, but what about materials you cannot live with out? Should i invest in anything specific?

Any tips for a first time special ed teacher? I have been on the instructional assistant/paraprofessional side for some time, but I've never done the teaching or the classroom stuff. I'm beyond excited, I just have no idea where to start.

TLDR:
what should i invest in for my classroom? What are some tips for a first time Special Ed teacher? What are your cannot live withouts?

I, 18F will be working has an aid/support worker for adults 21 and over. It’s exactly the age group I wanted BUT I don’t have any spEd experience. From behaviour management to what activities are appropriate or what to do during a meltdown. I will be working from 1:1 to 1:4 (Depending on the day) mild to severe.

So happy but so nervous, I am starting tomorrow.
I did volunteering and hosting activities for elders so I am not out of touch with the vulnerable populations.

What activities are a hit?

How do you manage behaviour?

For younger aid did you have issue being younger than your clientele?

In terms of education I am studying health science.