This is not directly special education law, but I think that the topic is certainly in the ballpark., and i think that we need to talk about it. Nadya Suleman of California recently gave birth to octuplets. That is already a story, but it turns out that she already had six kids. (I'm trying hard not to make a joke here about whether they live in a shoe, but I digress.)
The mother has a new website. Is there anybody left who does not have a website? Any way to get the mom's viewpoint, check out her website.
What troubles some is that the mom's first six kids include one with autism, one with ADHD and one with speech delays and maybe "tiny characteristics of autism..." Here is a link to the NBC interview in which she disclosed the three kids with disabilities.
My question is: how will the three kids with disabilities be affected by eight new siblings? Many people who I respect think that the mom is crazy and that the children with disabilities will suffer. Others whom I also respect, say she is being victimized and that with the money she will make from pay pal and her television appearances, all will live quite well.
What do you folks think?
It's so difficult, as a teacher and as a parent with a special needs child to feel anything but anger. It's my first instinct and I despise that part of me. I want to feel for her and her children, I want to have compassion and understanding.... but I just don't understand why anyone would make this choice. I believe she is ill and I also believe that the children should be raised by others (not the one's from Lost of course). I would never want to see them lose touch with their biological mother but the future of these children are at stake and tough decisions should be made.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, Anon.
ReplyDeleteJim
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ReplyDeleteHaving always had an open mind toward medicine and its miracles I find this story appalling on several levels. Having a wife who is a special education teacher is often interesting when discussing her students. How many of these eight will be in Spec. Ed. ( I am an Assist. Principal at the HS level.) This story is reprehensible on two counts. The first being the doctor who approved fertility treatments. The second is the woman who agreed to it. The doctor's license should be revoked. This is a situation in which the mother may not be stable enough to raise 14 kids on her own. The state needs to step in and put these children with foster parents where they can be raised by those more capable and financially stable. I believe that they should always have contact with their biological parents as they grow, learn, and experience a stable home life. It will be a difficult decision for any court but that is what they are paid to do. Make the tough calls and to do what is good for those children.
ReplyDeleteParents that are knowledgeable and diligent are effective at procuring the appropriate level of services for their children. Parents that are not, often get slighted by our public school systems. Unfortunately, money has little to do with procuring FAPE.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that parents with money are able to pay for an att'y or advocate to help them with their special needs issues, the parents must first acknowledge that they need professional support.
In this case, I don't believe that money from paypal or any other source will be the determining factor in the welfare of the children with special needs. The determining factor in this case will be the mother's knowledge and diligence in advocating for her special needs children.
Because I am conflicted about how fertility treatment has evolved--esp. re someone who already had so many children, I've paid little attention to this woman's story. I wasn't aware that several of her older children have disabilities requiring special interventions at school. Knowing it leads me to believe that she was not mentally competent before she sought fertility treatment. I deal daily with families of disabled children, and their schools, and know the struggles each faces. Money cannot be excluded, even from the school issue. Most schools with whom I communicate struggle with wanting and needing to do the right thing for their students, yet are faced with financial woes and scarcity of intervention professionals. And it really rankles that this mom plans to rely on others to support her--now--huge family.
ReplyDeleteOtto,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts. I agree that the medical practice as applied in this case is also an issue that should be debated.
Jim
Anon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your views. Money does not equate to good parenting- I agree.
Jim
Pat B,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts. I wonder how this most unusual story will play out.
Jim
You have choose some excellent topic, Nice work here Jim.
ReplyDelete