The public school system in the United States needs to change. This is a problem that needs to be solved now more than ever.
My Issues
I am a 16-year-old Junior with ASD, ADHD, MDD, and PTSD (all professionally diagnosed). I have others, but I won't discuss them publicly as they don't need I have only recently been able to cope with my issues using newer prescription medication. I can only remember up to around the age of 10 or 12. Before then is extremely hit-or-miss on reliability.
Elementary School
During my elementary schooling (primary for those who aren't from the US), I was put between 6 different schools. 2nd grade being the worst with 3 schools in 1 year. From what I'm told, I was a very troubled kid. I could barely sit still for more than a minute. I couldn't focus on anything, leading me to not participate in groups or do my homework. I couldn't make friends because I was different. I was troubled and people couldn't accept that. Adults (teachers and parents alike) looked at me funny when I would go into a frenzy of non-stop stimming. I could barely hold myself together. Yet I was still outsmarting fellow students and teachers. From what I'm told, I once backed my kindergarten teacher into a logical corner so much so that she sent me to the principals office. That wasn't all. I was a smart little fucker. I could read on a 9th grade level in 3rd grade. If it weren't for my issues with my mental disabilities, I would've easily been one of the smartest in the class by far. Everyone around me was focused on stupid things like getting girlfriends/boyfriends and talking about GTA V while I was focused on staying alive every other week. I'll wrap this bit up, but this is where shit gets hairy.
Middle School
First off, I want to say a special fuck you to Mr. Valentine. You severely harmed me in ways unfathomable by some parents and board members. In middle school, I was still highly unfocused and rambunctious. I was just getting over some of the most heinous shit a parent has done to a child. I was having so much trouble they stuck me in Mrs. King's class. Now Mrs. King was amazing, if it weren't for her... I don't know who would be writing this long ass blog post. Mrs. King had to deal with me in a state I still wish I could apologize to her for having to deal with. Some of the kids in her class were not the best for me to be dealing with. I would observe their behavior and re-enact it as that's all I knew how to do. I was trapped. I was helpless. I felt like my world was ending before I even made it to high school. Some of the actions that I picked up were: getting overly aggressive over silly things, talking back, not listening, and other things as well. Well, those horrid behaviors ended up with me in the vice principal's office... A.K.A. Mr. Valentine's office. To make things a little shorter, I'll sum it up really quick: I was sent to Stoner Creek's Mental Facility 3 times throughout middle school for evaluation. Mr. Valentine also thought it was acceptable to single me out for morning searches because I "threatened" to defend my family. A kid had threatened me and my family by stating he would "show up to our house and shoot us." I immediately replied (louder than the class), "If you show up, you'll be shot on sight." The teacher called the principals, and I was swiftly escorted to the office. Morning searches were the best! I wasn't allowed to go to breakfast or sit with friends... noooo... instead, I was allowed to sit in the front foyer of the school waiting for a full search every god-damn morning. Kids would peer through the windows, point, and laugh at me for having to get searched every morning. Let's get to a more positive note before I actually dig into Mr. Valentine too much.
High School
I've matured a lot throughout high school, I can partially control what I say or do. It's actually quite nice to be in control of my body for a change. People have somewhat accepted me for who I am. I would say I'm chill with 99% of the students in the school. Friends with few, chill with all. I like it that way. I'm still trying to cope with a few of my issues, but I've progressed a lot. I'm proud of myself. As a matter of fact, the reason I'm writing this blog post is that I'm trying to re-learn how to write proper papers.
Little Note
This is all that has come to my mind at this point in time, I may release an update to this blog later on to revise what I've said. Everything I have said in this blog post can be verified by my father and school staff.
Conclusion
This is just a special education student's point of view. I know the Harrison County Board of Education will try to silence this, but it needs to be heard. But at least it was posted so someone hears it.