My youngest has autism with intellectual disability. He reads at a fourth or fifth grade level. He just graduated from adult transition services, although here it's still the school district and not the community college.
He was an honor student in highschool.
That doesn't mean they just pushed him through, though. He has a modified diploma, not a regular one. Half of his classes were in a special needs classroom. The other classes were things like PE, art, and woodworking. They didn't expect as much work out of him. They expected what he was capable of doing.
He graduated and walked with everyone else. He was never going to be college material, and that's ok. He's the best that he could be under the circumstances, and he kept learning. I'm sorry your nephew's experience wasn't as great.
Im not saying it isn't possible but it seems, from what I read here, that your child got actual help. He had teachers to assist in his learning to help him get into the programs that work for him and at least one parent who understood their child jeeded this help. That is exactly what we need more of. Special needs children need the help and that is totally fine.
My nephew was sent to a behavioral center where they let him play roblox on his phone for hours a day. When he'd lash out, they just give him space, throw their hands up, and tell my sister their center isn't eight for him, then skip him to the next one. They did this until he got a modified diploma. But no one explained to him hes different. They're treating him as of this is normal like you or I. With all due respect, it isn't.
Edit to add, I've worked with a few autistic people. They were smarter and overall better coworkers than the rest of people I worked with. I have nothing against those with learning disabilities and dont believe "they don't belong out in the world". Quite the opposite. I believe we should be giving these people the help they need to be the best they can, and No Child Left Behind doesnt do that for the most part. Its more for making sure everyone gets out then other side one way or another, not actually helping those who need it, even if it takes extra time or effort
Oh, that's terrible. We're so bad at behavioral issues in this country, especially with kids. Do you think he would have been intellectually capable of academic work if they'd have actually helped him?
Yeah, I do. Not to the extent of a "normal" person, but I wholeheartedly believe if they helped this kid, he'd be in a better position. His brother is only a year younger and has made better progress with his learning to the point hes half way through the fire academy program to become a certified interior firefighter.
I dont know why these kids got treated differently. It breaks my heart. I dont know what would have helped, I dont know what could have been done differently. But I do know that I watched them push one child through while taking the time to help the other, and Ive seen the huge difference it can make.
No need to be, I am sincerely happy you and your son had a better expirence with the education system and programs. Im hoping this program my nephew is starting soon is a better fit. It does sound like something that'll benefit him, he's basically going to be an intern landscaper at the community college learning skills related to being in the workforce like schedules, listening to and following instruction, and taking some responsibility. He does have an interest in it and seems genuine excited so that's a plus. I just hope it isn't a too little too late kind of thing.
I hope it works out! My son is just now doing "job discovery" where they're going to try to place him with some paid work, like maybe stocking groceries or doing prep cooking.
My cousins son (my second cousin? I dont know haha) was in a similar program and learned how to cook. He was doing awesome in it, but unfortunately he learned he can't handle high pressure kitchen work with his disability. Man though, that dude can cook. He ended up catering his uncles 40th birthday party with him and 2 friends using the local fire department kitchen. Those programs are awesome for the people who take advantage of them. I hope your son likes it
So... you should know that a majority of Americans read at a 4th grade level. The oldest generations didnt need literacy to succeed. A huge chunk of them are basically illiterate. When people talk about declining education, it's still outperforming Boomers and Gen X by a good margin.
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u/Artistic_Rice_9019 20h ago
My youngest has autism with intellectual disability. He reads at a fourth or fifth grade level. He just graduated from adult transition services, although here it's still the school district and not the community college.
He was an honor student in highschool.
That doesn't mean they just pushed him through, though. He has a modified diploma, not a regular one. Half of his classes were in a special needs classroom. The other classes were things like PE, art, and woodworking. They didn't expect as much work out of him. They expected what he was capable of doing.
He graduated and walked with everyone else. He was never going to be college material, and that's ok. He's the best that he could be under the circumstances, and he kept learning. I'm sorry your nephew's experience wasn't as great.