"Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome"

Hyperlink:

I thought this text about children with down syndrome in schools and the struggles they face in the classroom was very interesting. I never really thought about how different the classes are in high school for kids with learning disabilities. and the fact that they don't need to be segregated at all.  I agree with the author that is is more beneficial for everyone to learn together and learn from each other. The fact that a child has a learning disability, doesn't mean they can't contribute to a classroom with students who do not.  The examples that the author gave, about children with down syndrome and their experiences was a great way to show two ends of the learning spectrum. One way was in which to segregate the children, which isolated them and didn't benefit them in any way. The other was to have them in a classroom with other children, and to develop ways of teaching in a way they can understand and relate to. 

The example of Shayne Robbin's classroom and Isaac Johnson, was a great way to show how a teacher can alter her teaching style in order to benefit everyone in the classroom. Teaching styles that get children interested and engaged are usually ones that seem unpractical or out of the curriculum. The unit her class did on the book Where the Wild Things Are, was great because it got the kids learning and working together in a comfortable environment. The fact the Isaac got up and danced, didn't mean he didn't understand, but that he learned it in a different more exciting way.  He showed his classmates, that they can all learn in different ways, and that learning can be fun. Christine's story was another great example, because she was involved in so many activities, and the fact that she has down syndrome never slowed her down for a second. One of my mom's good friends has a grandson with Down Syndrome, and he so smart and the sweetest kid you could meet. When I was younger we did a walk for children with down syndrome, and it was such a good experience being there for him. I think this all relates back to the fact the people fear what they don't know.  If a teacher doesn't understand a child with a learning disability and the way in which they learn, then they might fear what the child could do. If they took the time to truly see what the child can bring to the classroom and they way in which they learn, then things would be very different for children with down syndrome. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOwDfnoek6E

The link above is to a video about a girl who is sending the message not to limit children with down syndrome. Her story reminded me of Christine's and the other children in the text. 

I have an aunt who is mentally challenged, and it has been tough for her at times, but she works and has made a great life for herself. There was never any need to separate her from the other children, because she could learn just as well as them, but just in a different way. If schools let children with disabilities be with those who are not, both groups would benefit from the interaction and learning together. 

Question: Children can benefit one another just by learning alongside each other in the classroom. Why should children with down syndrome be segregated, when they have the ability to learn like their peers?