I’m going to a Field Trip…

October 26, 2011

A.       I was excited to see these students go on a field trip.  In my mind this was going to be great it was “ok”; nothing more nothing less.  The students were excited especially when the little kids were there at the park.  There was a group of Pre-K and Kindergarten students at the park.  Most people who see or are around special needs children know that they love little children.  I don’t know why but I always noticed that they had better relationships with small children in some cases.  The school left the park because they decided that they should just go back to school early.

B.      Some of the students tried to play with the younger kids and some were just trying to find seclusion so that they could stem or go to their “safe place” as I call it.  I have a problem with people who look at children or adults with disgust or have no patience.  To be fair I did not and do not have a lot of patience but it is important to me to consider the other person’s feelings. 

Now as a parent of a special needs child, I often see people look at my child and decide that maybe they should move their seats.  I often wonder if people think that if a person is special needs it will rub off on them.

I watched the kids and their way of interacting is just like regular children they have their clicks and they rough house too.  But the adults did well interacting with the students and were very aware of the surroundings for the children.  This field trip seemed to excite the students and they will probably sleep well.

These children can’t always express their feelings verbally or emotionally but I believe they understand that they are treated because of their disabilities.  I don’t think it’s fair.  Its obvious my feelings are changing I am still overwhelmed in dealing with the moderately-severely disabled, but I am becoming very protective of their feelings and their lives. 

Now my problem will be figuring out how to walk away.

C.      In Raymond’s Room pg 10 the residents went on a field trip and it was chaos.  This was because no one took the time to encourage these adults to become a part of society.  Now things have changed and special needs people are more visible but the thinking is still the same.  What would have happened if these same adults learned to communicate and act well in public?  Now the school system has the opportunity to encourage this but it’s not often done. The students are the most important factors in the school system.  They need to be taught to speak to their peers and adults.  My thoughts would be that these students need to be involved with their peers other than seeing them in going and coming.  Isn’t there a way for this to happen with positive outcomes?  Has this school even tried?  If they are not integrated into the school atmosphere how will they succeed in high school and in their adult lives?