Mar 25, 2019, Spearfish, SD, Black Hills Pioneer: Sturgis grad to pilot classroom https://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/sturgis-grad-to-pilot-classroom/article_80c96f04-7e6a-11e9-8771-2b6cc929e441.html STURGIS — Makenzie Skovlund likes a challenge. The recent Black Hills State University graduate from Sturgis will spend a portion of her summer preparing for the first-of-its-kind classroom for students with autism in the Meade School District. “Students with autism require a unique learning environment. They learn in different ways,” Skovlund said. “I’m super excited. It will certainly be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to taking this on.” Chrissy Peterson, director of the Meade School District Special Services Department, said in the last couple of years, the number of children with autism in the district has tripled. “They are the most unique wonderful people, but right now we have 34 identified, and not one of them is the same…. “We have a handful that have been served by Black Hills Special Services because we have not been equipped to serve them properly,” Peterson said. The new autism classroom, which will be located at Sturgis Elementary School, is a pilot program…. For students with autism, the more the instructor talks, the more agitated they can become….
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.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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