For kids in special education. I feel like the best thing a teacher can do is just acknowledge what makes the kid happy should be the most important thing. Let them decide their own path. Regardless of circumstance.

I’m 28M I had an IEP and I was in a program with academic support where you would go to get your homework done from regular Ed classes. And one of my biggest struggles was math I struggled in math to the point that I was like barely passing even with all the support I was getting. And my case manager, this is when I was a senior I failed algebra the first time and then I had to retake it. And I passed it, but barely. But my case manager was trying to pull me out of there because he thought that the program was just too overwhelming and I didn’t even get the most basic concepts. But at the same time I just wanted to navigate it myself. Not have someone else dictate what they thought was best. I didn’t care whether my math skills were far below average or that I tested really low. The point is I just wanted a chance to try but every time I try, he would literally point out. How I was doing poorly in the class and he would try to explain that I was a fool for trying to want to stay in there. But I passed the class anyway.

Also, I have ADHD and I’m on the autism spectrum. And I just hated how I just felt like I wasn’t treated equally to everyone else. it was a joke. I don’t care how serious the disability is that a kid has. I believe as a special ed teacher or case manager. You have an obligation, not just to give them the same opportunities that the mainstream students have. But tell them that their lives can be just the same. Don’t look at it through the so-called BS individual needs. They’re the ones who needs are. I don’t care how severe they’re learning deficit is I don’t care if they’re in high school and their concept levels of math are still at the elementary level if they want to be in an algebra class or in geometry let them be in there. it’s about exposure and learning not passing a stupid test. If they’re happy in the environment, let them stay there. Don’t use it as justification to take them out of the general ad and put them in remedial classes which is what I was in. The beginning part of my high school years. And even when I got out of there into more mainstream courses, I still had my case manager question what I wanted to do saying well you gotta be realistic and look at the costs of what could happen.

That’s another thing let the kids choose their career path don’t think of yourself as a career guidance counselor. Think of yourself as unique to find a way to get them to where they want to be in life. If they say, I wanna be a doctor, a lawyer and engineer airline pilot. or a data analyst think of their dreams first and then put the disability second. Don’t even ask the questions though what if you don’t get that job or what if you don’t end up liking it. Just leave it on them because at the end of the day when they leave high school the only one who’s responsible is them. And if they fail it then that’s not on you. So pretty much my best advice is the best kind of help you can give kids like this is. Let them navigate their terrain don’t be hands-on. And the best help you can give is only if they ask for it.

Submitted November 05, 2025 at 11:07AM by Effective-Pipe2017 https://ift.tt/0zK9R4c