Were You Mainstreamed?

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I was mainstreamed with mostly advanced courese with the exception of english (my choice not thiers) I went to a public school in the Scranton, PA area K-6 and was constantly bullied and such but allways got good grades. Went to a private school for children in finacial need till now. I am a senior and graduate on the 5th of June. I am plannig on going to Rochester Institute of Technology next fall in New York.

I've been mostly mainstream
Pre-K, Kindergarden and 1st were private, 3rd was homeschool, from then on, I was mainstream

Right now, I'm barely getting by as a Junior in HS. Graduation is a "maybe" and my family's done nothing but" put down support".... something like...."Your'e bad, get better" ....I have no plans for college, no chance of getting in any, and no interests for anything they teach.......

First school - Ages 4 – 7.
I was diagnosed as dyslexic in the first 3 months and after a year I was given a statement of special educational needs. So I spent a total of one day a week in one on one teaching. They also realised I was not making friends that quick and was becoming a bit of a loaner. They thought it was me being sidelined because of my dyslexia so they tried getting me involved in group activates. They thought about special school (for my dyslexia) when the time came from me to move on to middle school. I did not like the idea and my parents sided with me.

Middle school – Ages 8 – 10.
More of the same but statement had its hours reduced. Did not fit in too well but I got by. I was also labelled gifted and talented in maths and science.

Secondary school – ages 11-15.
They were reassessing my dyslexia when one of the SEN (special educational needs) teachers suggested AS. I was diagnosed in the first year. Originally the set me in the 3rd from top class for English, and the 2nd from top class for science and maths to help me make friends. It did not work I ended up taking the p*ss out of the teacher for making mistakes – I was quickly moved in to top sets for maths and science. But did have problems making friends as I was either the Bod (strange word used in some schools in England – it means geek but more affectionate and less nasty) or the one with SEN. I had a few less then pleasant incidents but nothing physical. 13 I got rid of my statement of special educational needs and now spent all of my time in mainstream. 14 I became a junior library prefect. Library prefects had our own common room and could give detentions so any trouble I had stopped. I got on really well with the team of library prefects; they are the only people I have kept in touch with since I left school. 15 became the senior library prefect team leader.

Sixth form College - ages 16-17.
It was a very relaxed college I only had to be in for 20 hours a week so I spent the rest of my time at home. I did not do a lot I just saw it as a route to university.

All of them were state schools

University – 18 – 25. (I’m 19 now).
I am at by far the most enjoyable period of my life so far. I spend most of my time in our studios working or talking to people who are almost as enthusiastic about architecture as I am. But I never seem to be able to turn a friendship from the studio to a friendship outside the studio.

I'm sorry if I seemed to be bragging but I had just got my Finacial aid notification and found out I had enough to go.

I've been in private schools all my life.

I was diagnosed with Dyspraxia when I was about 10, first they thought I had AD/HD and a load of other things, but they settled on Dyspraxia. I didn't socialise well at my second school, where I went from the age of 8, so I left when I was 13. The school also had no help whatsoever for special needs, and failed to recognise them.

I now go to a mainstream private school that specialises in Dyslexia, so I get help because of that. It's good, because I don't feel so different now, with things like taking extra time in exams. I also don't have to do sport any more, which is very good, I do Shooting instead, and most people who do Shooting have dyslexia/dyspraxia or some other kind of special need, because we tend to be the kind of people who don't make sports teams. But I'm doing fine with school now.

Mainstream all the way, but only the best mainstream.

Mainstream all the way too. But this was between 1953 and 1966. My first and lowest IQ score was 126 and my parents were both teachers in my district. Two older brothers did well so I got the benefit of every doubt. My second grade teacher was the most concerned about rocking, pica and other oddities but that was when most of the savant stuff surfaced so they never really figured out where to put me and left me with the regular class.

Jerry Newport

Mainstreamed all the way through, even did French Immersion from Grade 7-12.

I was in a Special Ed high school for two and a half years. I came to hate it becasue it was a joke academically and the people there weren't any more accepting than in a normal school. It think the number of jerks was even higher, becasue most of the students there just didn't want to learn and ahd already given up on school. And even though it was a special ed school, they did nothing to help me with my difficulties in making friends and talking to people! I eventually got fed up with it and went back to high school, against the wishes of those fools at the special ed school. I actually did pretty well at high school. I actually made friends and established myself somewhat as a know-it-all, which for some reason has never gotten me in too much trouble. It was hard dealing with the idiocy of the school, but part of that problem was the fact that the school was run by a group of idiots with no real connection to what was really happening in the school.

So as a result, I now think that mainstreaming is good for Aspies. It's hard, yes, but the oppurtunites are much better. And, (I honestly never thought I would say this seriously), it does get somewhat better in high school; the fragmentaion of students based on individual interests helps a lot, although the maturity of the student body is somewhat questionable at times. But even then, there are always a few exceptional people there.

I was in private, Catholic schools until the end of my junior year. It was then that I was "asked" to leave. They said public school would be more fitting to my needs (they were just passing the buck though.... *grumbling*).

I wasn't fully mainstreamed until I had reached the ninth grade. I was in a seperate classroom setting my first four years in school, but was gradually mainstreamed from fourth grade up until my second year in junior high school.

Mainstreamed from K to 2nd grade. 3rd through 6th were in the Gifted and Talented program. 7th and 8th were at a school for the learning disabled while also taking GT mainstream classes in most subjects. A nightmare. High school was mainstreamed, though I had support from the Special Education services.

... at least until I stormed out and stopped showing up to their sessions because I got sick and tired of being helped. I would stand or fall on my own, and regardless of the outcome I'd at least have my pride in knowing I didn't need a crutch.

I refuse to be a freak.

I know that statement will likely offend some here... but it's how I feel. I'm tired of being treated like a freak, like I need special help. I think it's mainly my own pride and arrogance, but I also want to know I can stand on my own without manipulating people into helping me because of my "condition."

Which is ironic, considering I'm a 21-year old college dropout living with my parents and have a chronic lack of work ethic. I'm everything I despise. But I know it's my fault, and mine alone.

Caderyn,

Offend Me! You just described my high school and college life perfectly.

I am giving serious thought to moving my child from mainstream to a "center based" program next year. The center is just for students with ASDs. Many have ADHD as well but there are no ED students there. D would continue his writing class in special education and his honors math in mainstream.

I observe the class May 23rd. I'm hoping I can get a clear feel for if its a good fit for him.

I've asked him what he thinks and he's unsure also.

BeeBee

Oh my. I was mixed around so much during grades 6-12 it probably altered my road to academic success

5th grade: put in advance class, struggled heavily but still went to middle school (6th, 7th and 8th grades) on regular courses.

I was kept in speech therapy courses until 10th grade but I don't think I really learned anything.

6th grade: sent to regular math, but placement was so high I was sent to accelerated math levels. Started well but self-esteem and emotions brought me back down to earth that I was demoted at the 2nd semester. I still struggled early on but I passed easily. I flunked science, I nearly flunked guidance class, almost flunked social studies, and language. Those classes were mainstreamed.
6th grade was a living hell academically and socially (teasing, bullying, and being singled out)

7th grade: all mainstream courses. Did a mediocre job in language and social studies, okay in electives (drafting/art), I did choose the former but placed in the latter. Science started off rocky but I did pass even though I felt uncomfortable there. Phys Ed. wasn't too great, not as comfortable as in 6th grade and I ended up with a C or something compared to a A or B in 6th. I frequently was sent to spec. ed. classes for half a period for assistance, keeping an eye on me and of course evaluate me for placement. Math was boring at first, mainstream, because I learned absolutely nothing until later in the second semester. Did I ever mention I missed nearly two weeks of school due to pneumonia? Yep, on my B-Day. 2 weeks but I improved during spring break and returned following the days off.

8th grade: No electives (they were dropped), Language I was put in a Sp. Ed class but I was so high that I was later sent to an ACCELERATED class. Then BAM! No book reports, no essays turned in. All I focused on was just basic curriculum. I would end up receiving a D. I had no socializing capabilities, that is what doomed me.
PE I did okay. Social studies I did good, showed some socializing weaknesses but self-esteem kept me going. Science I started strong but it got difficult so I went from a 1st semester A to a 2nd semester C. Math, I was put in pre-algebra which I did well in. I was recommended to move up to Algebra but I didn't want to attempt accelerated courses there agian, I felt the class style was meant more for the academically competitive students, I didn't want to fall apart agian.

I promoted out of middle school of course and THANK GOD because those days really sucked.

9th grade: All mainstream courses. I struggled in English big time. I stayed in the course but I was put into Guided study Spec. Ed. to give me extra help. I feel I got lucky in that course.
History: I knew the stuff, I had a B most of the way, but I struggled in expressing things right and didn't know how to address the problem.
Math: Algebra, piece of cake.
Science: Did well, but I don't remember a darn thing anymore.
PE: standard PE.
Spanish: knew the stuff, but struggled maintaining the assignments, aka homework. Homework was a nervous thing for me to do. I was shy to do my homework at home, I don't know why.

10th grade: HELL, I was placed in ADVANCED history and English until I checked out on time, they looked too complicated. I eventualy flunked mainstream Engllish first semester, I had to drop out. I flunked Geometry, had to drop out. I flunked Biology, had to drop out. Struggled at first with history but I caught up and maintained a good grade there for the whole year. Spanish I did okay (B), PE I did for semester 2 which was pretty basic.
2nd semester I took no math, was sent down to Sp. Ed. English and still showed some weaknesses. I passed though.
I took Geo. in summer school and passed so I had caught up in math.

11th grade: the better year, I had been given my AS diagnosis by now, I didn't tell the school yet but it was better. Along with my Prozac and Buspirone (anti-anxiety).
Year 2 algebra: passed
History: passed
sp ed english: passed (did okay)
spanish (getting more advanced): passed

Took trig and pre-calculus in summer school, phew it was tough but i passed.

12th grade: when I finally explained my AS to Spec Ed. teachers. I never mentioned it to the rest of the school.
I nearly fell down hill again here.

English mainstream: tough but I had a C (Eng. grades below Cs were failing grades). Second semester I was sent down to Spec. Ed. again (same old, same old)
Math: Calculus, I was placed with advanced students except for maybe a couple mates. I started off okay but then the logics, explanations, and group work brought me down. I nearly flunked the second semester but I was allowed to stay and be given elective credit since my math req. were reached.
Spanish: Advanced class. Made up mostly of advanced students, basic structure I was good at, but reports, oral exams and essays made it tough for me. It felt like an honors Eng. class there. I stayed and was given elective credit.
Civics/Gov't: looked easy but I ended up with a D.
Econ: looked dull and boring, started off sloppy and ended up in Sp Ed. level, I should've stayed at the main level though.
Biology: A little easier this time but still had a few problems. 1st semester okay, 2nd semester a little off.
I missed a week in the spring to anxiety bouts caused by leaving and returning to my medications.

I graduated HS, felt relieved but sad, I wish I could've done better (academically and socially)

Comm. College

I tried for a semester but it is tough. I qualify as a Disabled Student so I do have opportunities to gain extra help. I don't know when I want to try agian but it would be good if I can.

So I have been on all academic levels in my K-12 days (Special Ed., mainstream, and advanced).


I was really held back a lot in Special Ed. because the curriculum there was basic stuff I knew already. Because my socializing needs weren't met, I couldn't go back to the mainstream courses. So therefore I didn't see much improvement in English courses and socializing skills.

Mainstream K-11th grade. I dropped out half-way through 11th.

Thats also the only year I switched schools.