Book Report/Manifesto

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Recommended: inclusion approach versus the conventional special education programs

The book, Idiots: Stories About Mindedness and Mental Retardation by R. Daniel Linneman has a powerful message behind it, specifically in the field of individuals with disabilities. In contrast to many of the negative connotations and socially constructed beliefs of special education and people with disabilities, that exist, Linneman writes to prove the point that individuals with disabilities, even profound disabilities, which are presented in this book through case studies.
Linneman breaks segments the book into nine chapters, alternating between case studies from his experience and informational chapters based on research drawn from his expertise and experiences in the field of disabilities and special education, as well as background information and facts in the field. Each of the case studies goes into detail about some of the children that Linneman has worked with for an extensive amount of time. Linneman formats each of the case studies as journal entries, detailing his daily experiences with each of the children. Each entry documents the progression of each child and shows that children with disabilities, or any individual with disabilities for that matter, have the ability to learn and function independently.
This book had a significant effect on me. Although I have a generally vast knowledge-base on disabilities and how to appropriately teach students with disabilities, this book has opened my eyes to a variety of critical and important topics surrounding disabilities and how society looks at disability. In addition, this book has further developed my own personal beliefs about the education of children with disabilities.
In one aspect, this book strengthened my outlook on the generalization and categorization of ...

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...96), and the school is required by law to meet Sean’s needs in every way possible.
In light of questions and critiques from parents and guardians, it is also important to know exactly why you are doing what you are doing in the classroom. The priority of educators and other professions in the area of special education and inclusive education should be to provide the student with the most appropriate, least intrusive education as possible. Again, through Sean’s case study, Linneman portrays the heat that special educators can receive from angry, concerned, misguided parents, and even parents in denial or uneducated on the topic. This book addresses the need for teachers to determine best practices and settings for an individual child, and support and defend these decisions to parents, administrators or any other adults by putting the child’s best interests first.

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