[annharth]

I live in Australia. I have worked with children with special needs for over twelve years. During that time, our system has worked toward de-institutionalizing people with special needs and sending them into the community. This has also been adopted by the education system. I have been in classroom situations where children with mild intellectual special needs thrive and simply become part of the group, socially as well as scholastically. I believe this is wonderful and I am overwhelmed by some teachers' sensitivity and skill. I have also seen situations where a child with a disability is forced into an uncomfortable situation way above his abilities. Many teachers simply do not have much time to spend with individuals in class and the child with the disability as well as the rest of the class suffer. I believe that mainstreaming is the answer, but I also think that mainstreaming without enough staff is more detrimental than helpful. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or strategies that a frustrated teacher can use when left without an assistant? (I'm talkin about elementary school). Thanks.