Mainstreaming Special Ed Pupils

* We agree with Romy Wyllie (“Mainstreaming Can Hold Everybody Back,” Commentary, Feb. 26): Students with disabilities need the “best training for life.” But the separatist communities for the “handicapped” that she advocates surely work against that goal. How could a sheltered and artificial environment ever prepare children for an independent adult life? What will these children do when they turn 21 and there are no more special education classes?

Of course inclusion presents more challenges for adults, as well as the disabled and nondisabled children. And as a result, all learn how to live, love and learn together, rather than “in their own communities.”

And yes, some children have such severe disabilities that they need different accommodations. But let’s help as many disabled children as possible take advantage of the same housing, job, education and social opportunities that mainstream society has always taken for granted.

CARLENE HOLDEN

Vice President, Program Services

Easter Seals of Southern California

* As a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher, I have had the pleasure of having a student who is developmentally delayed included in my regular education classroom. lnclusion is just how it sounds, the student with special needs is “included” as part of the regular classroom. Wyllie is misinformed if she believes that a student in a wheelchair sitting in the back of the room is part of an inclusion classroom.

While I believe that parents have a right to choose what they feel is best for their children, I also believe that inclusion is best for most children. The philosophy helps students become more understanding of the human race, realize that each of us is different and that everyone is special in their own way. As a teacher, all students have special needs in one way or the other (including the gifted). It is a teacher’s responsibility to try and meet the needs of all children including children that are developmentally delayed.

By the way, if you wonder why I use my nouns before my adjectives, it is because children should be identified as people first rather than their handicap. My heart goes out to Wyllie and her son.

CARRIE PARTRIDGE

Oak Middle School, Los Alamitos