Sorry, but my kid is just not special.  He’s just a kid.  I never really understood why kids who happen to have a learning disorder (I try not to use the word disability) are labeled as “special”.  We have “special” education, “special” services, “special” needs…..  I don’t know about you, but I find these terms patronizing.  Why should my kid’s needs be “special”?  He has needs, you have needs, everyone has needs. I remember when I was working as a teacher and I needed to touch base with one of my students in her English class.  She was SPED (also not used in a flattering way).  What I saw was a class full of special ed students looking hopelessly bored.  Textbooks open, the teacher had each student take their turn to read out-loud a part of the text.  And this was high school.  I felt sorry for them because this is their “special education”.  But, don’t they have the same needs as all kids do?  Don’t all children crave to have meaning behind their learning?  To be engaged, curious, imaginative, and involved in the learning process itself?  To feel that they have something worthwhile to contribute?  Well, maybe we don’t. Because after all, they’re “special”.  And anyway since we can’t measure imagination why bother with it.

I’m inclined to think that “special” education is just an education of low expectations.  Of just getting the kid onto the next grade, perhaps transitioning out.  I remember some of my son’s lame IEP goals.  For example, my son will work on pointing to 5 objects described by use 7/10 trials…. meanwhile my goals were how was I going to help him realize that I was his guide in life, that he could share his experiences and emotions with me.  Well, well, well, those are ridiculous goals right?  Since I wouldn’t be able to measure “emotion-sharing” with 80%accuracy 4 out of 5 times.  So let’s just move on to the next meaningless thing shall we?  Because if we set the bar REALLY low, then we can congratulate ourselves that we are making “progress”.    

So let’s look at what all kids need.  All kids need a chance to discover themselves.  To dream big and have big ideas.  To learn what is important to them.  To create, explore, and be inspired to do great things.  Wow!  Now that would be “special”.  

When my daughter found out the title of this blog she said, “That’s right, I’m not special I’m magnificent.”