Inclusion and Exclusion

Children with disabilities need special attention, but there are other arguments that support why they should be in the same classroom as other students as well. Students with disabilities need to be included in the classroom with other kids under certain circumstances in order to get a balance of normality while receiving the special help with their problems. I guess this come down to the question whether the class is sustainable enough for the student and teachers themselves.

An important factor to consider is whether the teacher are well-trained for the students with special needs and whether this could and will inhibit the learning process for other children. I remember talking to one of the teachers and she told me that these kids will never leave Sao Mai and because of their autism, they cannot enter society. The closest to society and outside interaction is at the coffee shop at Sao Mai where they wipe down tables, sweep the floor, etc. Chi Uyen who manages the coffee shop said that all they can really do is say their name, age and asks customers how they were.

It's not that these children do not know anything, it is that their mind develop at a slower pace than others. Hien, a child at the organization, is able to talk and sing but it may be that he is a little older than the other kids. I feel like sometimes the people and teachers there have less hope and optimism for the kids than how I see it. Although these kids have special needs, at Sao Mai they can get the interaction they need growing up even though they are still excluded.

I am not saying that full inclusion is the answer but it is helpful in some aspects. I think that exclusion would inhibit the children' abilities to walk, talk, run and play more. My cousin grew up being home-school, although he is literally a genius, he missed out on a lot of daily interaction/social with other kids. So, I feel like in an organization like Sao Mai or anything or anywhere you go, you will experience some sense of inclusion or exclusion whether you like it or not.