special education...actually, when I was in elementary school I remember that I volunteered my lunch hour time to help on of the special ed classes. I really dont recall a lot about this group because it was a while ago since the interactions have taken place, but I remember it was a very very low functioning class. Basically none of these kids were able to do anything on their own it all had to be done through the teacher and then trying to get them to hit a button here and there to tell what they were thinking. I dont know other than the small time every so often I spent with them what the teachers did and such to try and help them to learn. The only other brief interaction that I have had with children who have a learning disability is on my fathers wrestling team. He has two brothers who both have a different level of a disability. It is hard for him as well as the other members of the team because the two boys are not as advanced cognitively as the rest of the wrestlers are and so it is difficult to coach them. Also, in sports, there is not a lot of time and allowance for being able to slow things down and teach at a different level for them all the time because there is only so much one can spend on the basics at the level they are at which makes it hard because they dont always follow and a lot of the time there arent kids who can take the time to teach them because they are trying to practice at the level they are currently at and are working to improve themselves. There is one of the assisstant coaches who has worked more with them because they are on his level of teams and so when the kids do have the chance to work on their own at a particular skill he will work with them and try to help in what ways he can even though it is not always very easy due to the fact that they struggle to comprehend what all is needed to be done. Another example is on the junior high team that I am coaching. There was one of the players who does have a slight disability, yet she understands and knows what to do as though she does not have this small set back. She was actually a starter and a contributing player and was never refered to as any different than any of the other girls even though you would be able to tell that she did have a disability. These interactions have all been sparce and not real in depth so I feel as though I have not really been exposed to a lot of children with the disabilities enough to really comment on them. I know that the few that I have had I always try and consider them to be on the same level as everyone else and I know that they should not be treated in any different of a way just because they have a lower cognition level than others who are at the same age as them. I know if I do come in contact with them that it is okay to help them as much as I can and as much as the situation and context will allow me to do so. I am looking forward to getting the chance to work with some of these kids in the future so that I can apply these things that I was a first hand experiener of today in the classroom.