Helping those in Need

Schools do offer free services for children with developmental disabilities through a Resource Specialist Program (RSP).  But like anything that is free in public education, there are often too many kids that require a lot of attention, too few resources, and not enough trained educators.

My mother is a speech pathologist with RSP certification.  The process to be RSP certified is a difficult process that requires additional education beyond a university degree and credentialing.  In California you are required to have been a teacher for at least 3 years (http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl625.pdf).  You are required to have this, and you will only make $55,000 in Los Angeles.  I think we’re fighting the right fight about the appropriate education, but we always need more with the growing rates of autistic kids (1 in 88 in USA).  We need more RSP teachers to help those that are working hard trying to help children with developmental disabilities.  Currently teachers are fighting a losing battle and we need to work to support them.

I don’t know if the student benefits from being “mainstreamed,” and I don’t know if peers gain insight or empathy.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more empathetic towards people that have developmental disabilities.  As a kid, I pitied them and even ridiculed them for being “different.”  But as long as we educate and inform children in the classroom, we can help everyone from the child with autism, to the teachers who don’t have to continually watch the child, and help make the school a better place with friendlier students.