TS and Education - News from TSA-USA August

[Lara]

http://www.tsa-usa.org/news/TOURETTEOHI0806.htm

Major Victory for Children with Tourette Syndrome
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to Classify Tourette Syndrome as Other Health Impaired

[oopsy]

That's interesting. I've been pretty emmersed in parts of the regs, but clearly not all as I missed this.

One paragraph of the release bothers me, in that it really highlights problems with the special education system:

The IDEA classification category frequently dictates the classroom placement, services provided and behavioral intervention plan. Many educators, however, continue to erroneously see TS as a behavioral or conduct disorder because of the nature of its symptoms and therefore classify these children under the Emotionally Disturbed (ED) category. This incorrect classification frequently results in students being placed in programs that are designed for students with emotional disorders where bullying and teasing generally increase as does the punishment for their symptoms. Now that TS is appropriately listed under the category of OHI, students with TS will be given fair treatment under their condition.

Disability label is NOT supposed to be what dictates classroom placement. INDIVIDUAL child needs should dictate that (and are supposed to under the law). There is just incredible diversity of kids who fall under the same label. Surely not all kids with TS need to be in special education, and those that will benefit from special education most likely would also benefit from a variety of settings, services, accommodations, and adaptations.

oopsy

[Lara]

Disability label is NOT supposed to be what dictates classroom placement. INDIVIDUAL child needs should dictate that (and are supposed to under the law). There is just incredible diversity of kids who fall under the same label. Surely not all kids with TS need to be in special education, and those that will benefit from special education most likely would also benefit from a variety of settings, services, accommodations, and adaptations.

Hi oopsy, I can't comment too much on the US system as I don't know it or live it. I do know though that neither of my children was in special education setting, although my son had a few accommodations. He actually could have used more services, but they were not available to us here at the time. He needed them more for other conditions than his tics. I agree with you. It should be based on individual needs, but then I think all education should be based on individual needs, TS or not.