June 23, 2017, London (Ontario) Free Press: Special-education funding, demand on the rise
http://www.lfpress.com/2017/06/23/special-education-funding-demand-on-the-rise
The Thames Valley District school board saw its special education funding from the province rise by $3.7 million to $103 million. …
It also has to do with increased demand, as the call for students needing special programs is rising, even as enrolment is stable or growing only slightly. …
“Compared to 10 years ago, medical issues are clearly on the rise.”…
“There is increased awareness, but it is also a growing problem for sure,” said Davison. “These are significant issues.”
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.