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Integrated education may not be ideal for all special needs kids
In some ways, programs that promote inclusion of special needs children sound like an excellent idea. However, we urge caution and consideration from involved and interested parties like parents, schools and the government before implementing such a plan.
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Illustration for a classroom (Shutterstock/File)
M
ore educationists have been advocating for special needs children to be integrated with other children in mainstream schooling. This is a movement that is generally welcomed and supported by parents of children with developmental delays and disabilities.
In some ways, programs that promote inclusion of special needs children sound like an excellent idea. Both special needs children and their typically developing peers should benefit under such an arrangement. Children with developmental delays get the benefits of mainstream schooling and typically developing kids get to interact with them and learn to be more patient and accepting. Both groups of children would also have the opportunity to learn from one another.
However, we urge caution and consideration from involved and interested parties like parents, schools and the government before implementing such a plan for all special needs children.
In planning out the appropriate educational journey for these kids, we must put their long-term welfare and future as our top priority above all else.
We have to consider the fact that many children with moderate to severe developmental delays, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), need very specialized instructions just to learn the most basic of skills. They often could not and therefore would not learn many basic skills simply by being with their typically developing peers who have those skills.
Research shows that intensive educational services would be the far better choice for these children instead. A child with significant delays need urgent, immediate and appropriate attention and intervention to help him or her reach their full potential.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA), the only treatment for ASD that is endorsed by the US Surgeon General, would be the optimal choice as it has helped many children with significant developmental delays overcome those delays, and eventually become able to learn the same academic skills as typical children.
