Treatment of the mute in school - Writers Forum

Ore-sama · 06-29-2007, 09:51 PM

In a story idea of mine, one of the main characters was picked on in grade school for being mute. Is this realistic? How are they treated in school(never had one in my school to my knowledge)

lin · 06-30-2007, 12:27 AM

In the United States, at least in school districts of any size, they attend special education schools or classes. Elsewhere, there is no doubt in my mind that kids would pick on a mute.

Mike C · 06-30-2007, 02:17 AM

please, for a non-yank, what age are grade school kids?

Mallignamius · 06-30-2007, 07:30 AM

Out of curiosity, will this be aphonia or dysphonia?

negenki · 06-30-2007, 09:16 AM

i think..... it is possible that that kind of situation exist somewhere..... especially those that think they can overpower those that have a loss of something.....

Hawke · 06-30-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ore-sama

In a story idea of mine, one of the main characters was picked on in grade school for being mute. Is this realistic? How are they treated in school(never had one in my school to my knowledge)

Yes and no, depending.

We all know that kids can be the cruelest of animals. They pick on others for anything different (glasses, braces, height, weight, gender, race, religion, physical appearance, designer clothes... the list is endless), which is really a knock against something they see and don't like of THEMSELVES, and also as an attempt to gain power (pecking order). But a child with a disability in the public school system? That's a tad different. By they way, this is my experience in regard to this very thing.

The deaf/mute child (a girl) started public school at the usual time of life and in the usual way... all but for a few major differences. The school was well aware of her enrollment long before she came, and it was decided to have her home room teacher (and any who would follow in the future) upgrade, meaning to take sign language courses. Naturally a TA (teacher's aid) was assigned to her as well. The first day of school was mainly informative for both the students and their parents of the entire school, and then again with the kids of that certain grade, meaning everyone was made aware of her and her
special needs, and the TA, the homeroom teacher and the girl herself answered any and all questions. The school also added a sign language course to her entire grade so the kids could learn to communicate with her. Was there bullying? No, not at all. The kids were gung-ho about it and so were their parents (who viewed it as a wonderful opportunity). In fact, the kids in that grade closed ranks and acted as protectors of their very special friend. They also loved being the only grade to be offered something no other grade was—the sign language course. It made them feel unique and special themselves. And of course she moved up with them so there was never any worry about who she might interact with and what their reactions might be, etc., etc.

So in answer to your question, no, the girl (and indeed all "special needs" students to follow) was not picked on in any way. But I suppose it would really depend on the school and its handling of it right off the get-go.

Hope this helped.

Mallignamius · 06-30-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawke

Yes and no, depending.

We all know that kids can be the cruelest of animals. They pick on others for anything different (glasses, braces, height, weight, gender, race, religion, physical appearance, designer clothes... the list is endless), which is really a knock against something they see and don't like of THEMSELVES, and also as an attempt to gain power (pecking order). But a child with a disability in the public school system? That's a tad different. By they way, this is my experience in regard to this very thing.
-snip-

"kids can be the cruelest of animals"?

I hear that a lot. I don't like it. People can be cruel, regardless of age. Just watch the news and see what's going on around the world for examples.

Kids can also be angels. Most people clearly love children. We're very protective of them.

Hawke · 06-30-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mallignamius

"kids can be the cruelest of animals"?

I hear that a lot. I don't like it. People can be cruel, regardless of age. Just watch the news and see what's going on around the world for examples.

Kids can also be angels. Most people clearly love children. We're very protective of them.

The key words there are "can be." And it's true.

Just saying.

Crazy_dude6662 · 06-30-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawke

The key words there are "can be." And it's true.

Just saying.

it is very true, in my school my year are brilliant, there is a japanese girl and she was bullied out side of school so the entire class brought her ice skating to cheer her up (it also helped that she is the nicest person you could ever meet) in the year below me if you dont conform to their ideas you might as well just be throwing yourself into a shark tank after slitting your wrists.

i recently read "twillight children" by torey hayden, its a biographical novel about the author and her experiences in special education and elective mutes. in the book it talks about a young child (from what i remember i think he was 5 or 6), drake, who cant speak and he gets along with everyone in his class, he was a very outgoing sociable person, infact he seemed very popular from the way it was described.

Mallignamius · 06-30-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawke

The key words there are "can be." And it's true.

Just saying.

The key words should be, "Some kids..." I'm highlighting this largely because I know of more than a few adults who evangelize the same idea, but are themselves magnificent jerks to their kids. Maybe they feel exonerated when they strike them?

On the flip side, anyone can be the kindest of creatures. I think most are. I hope Ore-sama's story will highlight at least something so naturally generous.

Hawke · 06-30-2007, 02:41 PM

Excuse me? Obviously this thread is straying off topic. If you would like to continue your thoughts, Mallignamius, might I suggest you PM me or perhaps take it to the debate section. As for my comments. A question was asked and I answered it. Jerk adults and striking children were in no way part of my reply. They were also not part of the original query.

Mallignamius · 06-30-2007, 03:57 PM

Oh no. When someone chooses to describe kids as the cruelest of animals, you should expect such a response. But you overreacted, I think because you read too much into my reply.

Hawke · 06-30-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mallignamius

Oh no. When someone chooses to describe kids as the cruelest of animals, you should expect such a response. But you overreacted, I think because you read too much into my reply.

What I said was: "We all know that kids can be the cruelest of animals." I also invited you to continue this discussion in PM so this thread can stay on topic, as it should. Thank you.

Mallignamius · 06-30-2007, 05:26 PM

Got it. I read it. Several times. But in public discussion, I have a right to counter a point, to express disagreement, wherever that may be. And I did just that. It's not just for your sake. And since the topic pertains to treatment of children, I don't see it straying.

Anyhow, I've made my point, and voiced the alternative view, so there's nothing else to discuss on the matter. That's largely why I don't accept the invite to PM. But thank you anyway.

Lance · 07-01-2007, 08:56 PM

Don't the mute have special classes? As far as I know they have their own schools, or at least seperate classes that have private lunches and leaving times. So this is very unlikely that one mute would pick on another.