Inclusive Education has a special place in my heart. My son, who is now in Grade 1, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was 4 years old. My biggest fear when I heard his diagnosis was centred on his schooling. How will he be treated at school? Will there be people there to help him? Will he be allowed to learn with his peers? That fall I placed him in preschool. It was an amazing experience. The staff at his preschool was phenomenal and we were lucky enough to have someone attend preschool with him. Each day had its own challenges. Some days he would refuse to go inside or get upset if he was not first in line, but on average it was a very positive experience and put me a little more at ease for when he started Kindergarten.
Before he began Kindergarten, I had a meeting with the principal of the school to make sure they had all of my sons paperwork and knew what he was like, his behaviours, interests, and some of his triggers. I also made sure that there would be an EA in his classroom to help him when needed. His first year of school was also my first year in the Education Program at UNBC. It was interesting learning about Inclusive Education from my classes at UNBC while at the same time getting first-hand experience with it as a parent. The supports in place both within and outside of the school system are extraordinary. Between his behavioral interventionists, speech pathologists, occupational therapist, teachers, EAs, principals, and every other member of his school, I could not ask for a better team to work with my son.
Since he has such a great support team within the school system, he is able to be in the classroom and participate in many aspects of his school community. He still has days where he cannot (or refuses) to do work but the environment his school has made for him allows him to take those breaks when needed. He has a safe space at the school to go to when he is feeling overwhelmed and I am truly grateful for all the hard work his teachers and the rest of the staff do to meet him where he is.
One person that I look to when I want to learn more about Inclusive Education is Shelley Moore. Her videos are fun, energetic, but most of all, extremely informative.
All children, no matter their abilities, cultural or socio-economic background, or gender or sexual identity, should be included and feel nothing but welcomed, loved, and respected in their classrooms and schools.
A few links to start with or refer to:
What is Inclusive Education? – from Inclusive Education Canada
https://inclusiveeducation.ca/about/what-is-ie/
What is Inclusive Education? – From Inclusion BC
https://inclusionbc.org/our-resources/what-is-inclusive-education/
Inclusive Education Resources – BC Ministry of Education
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teaching-tools/inclusive-education
Special Education Policy Manual PDF – BC Ministry of Education
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teaching-tools/inclusive-education
Teachers of Inclusive Education (TIE) – British Columbia
http://www.tiebc.com/
SOGI 123 – British Columbia
https://bc.sogieducation.org/