Special Education.

[Sparx]

Ever have one of those days when someone says something and it just hits you the wrong way? That was me today.

Here's some backstory. I'm a SPED student, if you will. I don't find "sped" an offensive term, unless its used in a bad way. SPED, or Special Education, means anything out of the normal rage of an agegroup. I have a very above average IQ, and I work at a level above most of the people my age. I am in a SPED program that helps me prepare for college, the ACT/SAT, and it gives me first choice on classes, dorms, etc.

Today in French, someone said "you're so sped" speaking to another student. Now, I hear that all the time, its like "thats so gay" I don't like it, but I'm used to it. But the girls voice was kind of hard to understand, so the other person said "I'm so what?". This boy in the back of the room said "sped means you're ********."

Wait. I'm what?

I spent 3 hours at a Job Fair for SPED students, mostly the gifted end of the spectrum was there. The adults that were there to interview had only been told "this is for SPED students". They assumed we were all mentally disabled. I was treated like I was an idiot. I finally just went and sat down, because I was tired of being talked to like a three year old.

Today, I don't know what it was, but hearing him say that just hit me the wrong way.

I turned around and let him have it. I informed him that sped doesn't mean '********' as he so quaintly put it. I told him that I am sped. He apologized and corrected himself. I was probably too hard on him, but I can promise you that he's not going to say that again.

 

[Babyjustrun]

=(
That's terrible.
People should really learn the complete term of words before they use them.

 

[BabyPiglet]

That is just wrong. I hate it when that kinda stuff happens. Like I am constantly having to explain that Gifted and Talented Education is not a better way of saying "SPED". I just get sick of stuff like that.

 

[EeyoreFan1]

Oh my gosh. That is so mean. I would have told him off to.

 

[PrincessKally]

Well I have enver heard the term SPED before but I suppose it makes sense.
I guess I also never realized "Special Education" could also be for extremly bright students as well.
It really does bother me though when people make fun of the people who are mentally disabled. One of my biggest pet peeves. Growing up with a cousin who has a disability makes you realize alot, and how mean people really can be.

 

[CheezDoodle]

Uck that musta stunk. I'm in the gifted program too, and it sucks to have to explain that to people.

 

[minniesBFF]

That must have sucked. People call special education SPED at my school too. Sometimes it just gets on my nerves.

I am not in gifted classes, but I am in honor's english class. Whenever I tell people that I'm in honors, their like "oh, your in the smart class". It feels like they're saying that I should be embarrassed that I'm smart. It just annoys me.

 

[Sparx]

Well I have enver heard the term SPED before but I suppose it makes sense.
I guess I also never realized "Special Education" could also be for extremly bright students as well.
It really does bother me though when people make fun of the people who are mentally disabled. One of my biggest pet peeves. Growing up with a cousin who has a disability makes you realize alot, and how mean people really can be.

The term "SPED" does not offend me. I've said "I'm going to the SPED room" or "we have a sped meeting today"

What offended me was his sheer ignorance of the word, yet his continued use of it.

 

[EyoreFANS12]

Woah i ride a sped bus but i am not a special student persay there is this kid named Jacob on my bus kids go up to him and he yells and kids make fun of him and they call him dumb but he is not because he can spot deer like when i cant even see them some people that make fun of those student have no life and are losers

 

[Babyjustrun]

People who are SPED kids also can be very smart, but because of some sort of disability they cannot learn in an environment that everyone else does.
There are many forms of SPED.
It does not make one dumb. (If they do have a disablity)

 

[PG Sweetie]

At my school the term sped isn't used for both the gifted students and the mentaly disabled. You have special ed and then you have PACE, which is for those who are gifted in all subjects, SAGE, which is for those who are gifted in one subject, and SOAR for those who are good at the arts.

I can see how that would upst you and they shouldn't assume that that doesn't include the gifted students also. You had every right to tell him off and set him straight.

Originally Posted By minniesBFF
I am not in gifted classes, but I am in honor's english class. Whenever I tell people that I'm in honors, their like "oh, your in the smart class". It feels like they're saying that I should be embarrassed that I'm smart. It just annoys me.

And I know what it's like to have people treat you like you should be ashamed of being in the "smart" classes. I've been in the PACE classes since first grade. People love to treat you dif. for that at my school.