I’ve worked at the same school for just over two years now. The students who were in kindergarten when I started are second graders now. I work in special education, mostly with severe intellectual disabilities. This includes autism, Down’s syndrome, all sorts of non categorical delays, seizure disorders, CP and similar disorders, all SORTS of stuff. I spend my whole day around disabled folks.
Now, two years ago, I thought this school was wildly accepting. Students with disabilities were accommodated left and right. Teachers went out of their way to explain to students that while some of their classmates may be different, they still have thoughts and feelings just like everyone else. We taught kindness, and the teachers led by example.
As the political climate of our country changes, I’ve noticed the climate of our small public school change as well. I live in a small conservative city, so it’s not really a shock, but rather a huge disappointment. Teachers are now pushing for students to be in their classrooms less. “Weird” or “distracting” behaviors are becoming less tolerable. And as the teachers tolerate less, the students do, too; and they begins to ostracize their special ed classmates.
The ripple effect of ableism in our government is not something to be touted at. It is not something that can be tolerated. When we allow our officials to be openly ableist, it allows all the closet-ableists to crawl out of their hidey-holes and speak their real minds. It allows them to push for inequality. It allows them to raise a generation that sees disabled people as the other.
tumblr autistics who have never received special education blow it wildly out of proportion and i do believe it's a form of ableism imo
they'll either categorize it as a horrific human rights violation and describe it as almost akin to racial segregation and police the language used around those in special ed ("don't call them special ed, they just have different needs!!!") despite never having the experiences of being in special ed
OR they'll think that we're so privileged to have gotten "all the support in the world" and that we're super coddled and always respected because we're special ed
as someone who was in special ed (without a diagnosis at the time, because yes that's possible and even somewhat frequent) i literally didn't even remember being in special ed as a kid because it was utterly unremarkable, just like how being in general education was also pretty unremarkable.
like can we please talk about sped normally because tumblr loves to claim to be disability activists and then they talk about sped like it's some mystical unreal place where we're simultaneously having all of our needs met and we're super privileged and early diagnosed (which isn't usually true) but we're also horrifically abused and actually everyone should be in general ed (which is true in some circumstances but they make it seem like that's everybody's experience)
I'm a student in SPED (Specialized Education) and a writer. I've been learning so much up to date and I wanted to share these things with other writers.
Essentially, I'll be going through my class notes and making posts linking these notes with character planning, among other things.
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I have another, more personal account, @viperthewriter, where I share my fanfictions (and hopefully, my future original works!).
This blog is heavily inspired by @cripplecharacters which I've been following for over a year now. I strongly suggest this blog! They're doing an amazing job <3 (heart)
Other very interesting blogs include but are not limited to : @blindbeta @vitiligo-is-not-a-trend @a-little-revolution @deafaq @mimzy-writing-online
I'm going to do my best to make my posts accessible for all- if I can do anything to make it better, don't hesitate to point it out and I'll do what I can!
Questions are welcomed and encouraged, but I won't disclose very personal information. I'll tell you if it's too personal or not relevant to the blog, so ask away!
If you are another student / professional, I encourage you to share what you know! Whether you work / study in social work, specialized education, psychiatry or any other similar field of work- or simply have knowledge in a certain diagnosis, I'm sure everyone has something to offer. Just remember to be confidential about examples!
I feel the need to mention that I have a very bad posting schedule. I will be posting when I can, but regularity is not easy for me!
Another thing to know is that I translate my notes to English; I study in another language. Therefore, I may not have the exact terms. If you ever notice I could be using a better or more official word for something, feel free to point it out!
That's all from me for now. Take care of yourselves out there!
Disclaimers:
Please note that I am not a professional and the information I will be sharing should not be used for diagnostic means.
Please remember that I am only one human being, not a team of mods, and I am also a student. I do not hold all the answers, I may make mistakes and I am still learning. I can however ask your questions to my professors if I struggle with answering them!
growing up in special ed is so funny because youll be like yeah lmaoooo i remember how when i was being annoying in class they would send me to the school psychiatrist to get rid of me that was so funny. one time in middle school i had detention because i fought a kid that was bullying me and i puked and they gave me another detention because they said i did it to get out of detention. and remember when they would tackle people ? lol. they put me on antipsychotics because i was annoying. oh you just started [medication]? i think i was on that in first grade. it made me ill. i think im the worst person in the world btw. and people are like heyyyy what the fuck
DISABLED AMERICANS CAN’T EVER CATCH A F*CKING BREAK?!
Sorry for yelling; just very scared and upset at the state of my nation right now. And the fact that the only people I see standing up for the disabled community right now is teachers, doctors, and adults of disabled children! I will be using this post to document and educate on disabled issues.
Note from March 25, 2025: Some stuff near the top might be out of date, specifically regarding the state of The Department of Education. I will however still keep those (pre-closure) links up as they are still relevant. Just be aware of the timeline while reading; I started dating my updates around Early March.
(Note: In this post, I will be going over a bunch of stuff concerning the disabled community. I am an adult diagnosed with autism (and some other stuff) who although being Lv1, needs support. These issues will obviously affect more than just Americans with developmental disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, etc.) and I will try to be as inclusive as I can to ALL disabilities in this post. This is just the personal experience I am bringing in.)
RFK JR. (he is a whole pile of worms, no pun intended)
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is disappointed by the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and
Robert F Kennedy Jr has been nominated to be the next US health secretary, but some of his views are not backed by science.
17 states are in a lawsuit to eliminate section 504 of of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, this would allow public schools to discriminate education against disabled students. This includes removable of disability accommodations. 504 applies to other government assisted services as well such as hospitals and doctor's offices. This possible removable is a big civil rights issue.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Below are Section 504.
Learn more about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or act
Speaking of disability and education, the dismantlement of the Department of Education. Just like stated in GOP plan Project 2025, Donald Trump plans to eliminate the Department of Education. This is a horrible idea for so many reasons but especially for disabled students and their parents. The DOE funds special education or "SPED" programs in schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, (in 2022-23) 7.5 million students in America receive special education or related services.
Significant cuts and changes within the U.S. Department of Education are causing worry among parents of children with ADHD and other learnin
Information about the laws and policies governing special education, including IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), 504 p
Experts say this week's mass layoffs could lead to less research and support for children nationwide.
Obviously, the pulling back and demonization of DEI will be a big negative for the disabled community, one that already struggles with finding employment, belonging, and support. But most people are already aware of it.
Problem Presidential Actions/Executive Orders. There are many; some linked below. These are specifically ones that impact disabled Americans; lots of ones not mentioned are just as if not more concerning for other reasons.
KEEPING EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE AND ENDING COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES IN SCHOOLS: will endanger communal health, especially that of the immunocompromised
AMERICAN HEART MONTH, 2025: Magpie, wanting to raise awareness for heart disease is obviously a good thing! Why put this in here? "And we will fulfill our pledge to investigate what has caused the decades-long increase in health problems and childhood diseases — including obesity, autoimmune disorders, infertility, and autism." Yes and, my main concern is their inclusion of "autism". Ignoring the fact that they referred to it as a heath problem or childhood disease, I am autistic adult who has lived on this earth for around 20 years now. For me, this screams Autism Speaks. Autism is a genetic disorder and there have been many studies about its potential causes. This administration has rejected and censored the medical world; this will only result in misinformation being spread.
Update: April 6, 2025: more autism stuff.
WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION: This one should be self explanatory.
There's more concerns I have but I'm tired :/. So tired. Just wanted to raise awareness. I'll post something fun next.
UPDATE: MARCH 11, 2025
Soo...it gets worse, like it always seems to do nowadays.
CDC is planning on doing a nation wide study, studying "the link" between autism and vaccines. The link that seems from the debunked and medically controversial 1998 Wakefield study. Anyone who has a valid medical degree, did basic research on the topic, or is educated on autism can tell you that you cannot "get" autism from vaccines. It is important to note that developmental, neurological, and mental delays due to things like lead poisoning, injuries to the brain, and medical issues like diseases or strokes. However, this is not the case for autism. Autism is a condition you are born with, similar to other developmental disabilities. It seems to be only really questioned because unlike other disorders like down syndrome and fragile X syndrome, autism does not display any physical deformities or traits. You cannot tell if a baby is autistic at birth, only later on as it goes through stages of development. Autism is a genetic disorder with some suspected environmental risks.
So, why is the CDC spending this amount of energy on a theory from a disgraced man who got his medical license revoked and has been fact checked by the medical community multiple times? Short answer, money. I talked on this weeks ago in the American Heart Month section. This is plan to transfer money away from important services and spend it on something meaningless. I don't want to call it embezzlement but that is what it is currently looking like to me :/.
I would be incredibly upset if this happened anytime but now?? The worst time. Antivaxx has been gaining more and more popularity over the years and I have seen a sharp increase of medical misinformation since the confirmation of RJK Jr. The United States government themselves pursuing this theory only validates medical denialism. And with the very real threat of a nationwide Measles outbreak; people need to be vaccinated against MMR more than ever. No more kids need to die because their parents didn't give them the proper vaccines.
Oh and also big Medicaid cuts.
Ugh. Signing out for now <3
UPDATE (March 31st)
UPDATE: MARCH 21, 2025
So, it’s happened. The Department of Education I mean. Not surprised, I’m one of the few who sat down and read Project 2025 (Section 11 linked). But God.. it doesn’t feel real. I’m scared, especially for disabled kids, especially in poorer areas. These families. I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know what to do. God bless the teachers of America.
UPDATE: MARCH 25, 2025
Back to bullshit. Sorry if that's too harsh; I'm just not really in the mood for pleasant formalities. Due to the Department of Education being destroyed (including OSERS), as mentioned above, the responsibility of Special Education will be transferred to Robert F. Kennedy in The Department of Health and Human Services. He and his department not qualified to handle SPED at all. In fact, looking back at when I originally wrote this post, he was one of the leading threats I identified in this administration relating to disability justice.
UPDATE: MARCH 28, 2025
So, about the The Department of Health and Human Services...
Another link. And another link, more specifically about disability and these cuts (from Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund).
Sorry that there is no description on this update; hopefully I will fix that in the future. I am writing this in a hurry.
UPDATE: APRIL 17, 2025
RFK Jr. Another link. This shit is really bad. I'll add more details when I have the energy.
UPDATE: APRIL 24, 2025
The autism study is planning to link confidential data "with broad coverage in the U.S. population" in one place for the first time.
Fuck.
Update: April 26, 2025: It’s been refused
Update: April 28, 2025: The Section 504 lawsuit threat seems to be dropped for the time being, at least the argument in it that 504 is unconstitutional and should be removed from 17 states. Instead they are going to just argue to remove gender dysphoria from the list of protected conditions. Here's the updated case.
Update: May 23, 2025: So the "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill" (that is the bill's legit name; I am not calling it beautiful myself) passed the house. Now it goes on to Senate. The biggest threat to disability is the cutting down Medicaid, something so many disabled people rely on. Although I did read the whole bill myself, I am not the most lawfully literate so I recommend doing your own research. The bill itself is linked at the top of the post.
Update: August 27th, 2025:
Florida is changing how students with disabilities graduate high school.
Update: September 4th, 2025:
Um. respectfully, what the hell is happening in Florida?
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who announced the decision, cast current requirements in schools and elsewhere as “immoral” intrusi
Update: October 2nd, 2025
Sorry, guys. A lot of shit has been happening in the USA, especially regarding the autistic community. I am aware but haven't had the time to create an update to each statement or order that has come out. I will find links to read when I have the mental energy. Fam, it's bad out here.
+ the government shut down last night.
Update: October 14th, 2025
They shut down the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Fck.
Update: November 21st, 2025
Disinformation on CDC website regarding autism and vaccines. This is so dangerous for them to be doing; please listen to actual medical professionals and take care of your health, guys. (Also this happened a bit ago but the government is no longer shut down.)
