Besides his facial deformities and hearing problems, Auggie had no real learning disabilities. His mom was his homeschool teacher and felt that she wasn't qualified to continue teaching him. Auggie's parents knew their son had potential, and in order for Auggie to continue to thrive academically, he needed a school environment. This new school environment would also give Auggie a look into the real world. Even though other students at the school would most likely make fun of Auggie, his parents knew they had no other choice if Auggie was going to be successful later on in life.
I think the bigger picture came into play for Auggie's parents. They knew they couldn't continue to protect and shelter Auggie for the rest of his life. Encouraging and supporting Auggie needed to be their role. Auggie knew how much his parents loved and cared for him, which gave him the strength to start middle school.
This question could be thought of from different perspectives, all with a different response.
As a parent- Auggie was homeschooled. While his mother is very intelligent she realizes she cannot continue his education forever. He needs to learn from experts in each subject area. Also, education is not just expanding tour mental capacities but, also your emotional and social capacities. Auggie needed to learn how to cope with what he will experience on a day to day basis in the real world. He will be judged daily and he needed the tools to deal with how to handle everyday situations and gain acceptance for himself.
Other parents- As an other parent, you would want August to attend school. This is all part of your own children learning acceptance. The realization that everyone is different and that is what makes up "wonder"ful is an excellent and difficult life lesson. Especially for middle schoolers, whom tend to want to conform and blend in. You would also be able to teach your children what to do in a bullying situation and encourage them to act in an appropriate and caring method.
What a great question! The story takes place at a perfect time in Auggie's life for him to experience the world as any other 5th grader would. While his parents struggled initially with this decision, they knew it would be best for him. They knew that it wouldn't be an easy road for their son but came to the realization that they can't shield him from the public forever. Auggie is very intelligent and has a wonderful sense of humor. It would be a shame to not let others see who he truly is beyond his scars.
We all know that making and keeping friends is a hard task. Auggie's parents knew deep down that there would be those who would love him for who he is and not judge him based upon what he looks like. The world is a big place. Leaving our comfort zone can be scary however necessary to know where we belong, let others see our strengths, and find those who will be there when we show weakness.
Preparation is one of the main reasons a parent would send August to school knowing that he would be made fun of. Preparation is key in order to successfully complete any task, and it is the same with the task of growing up. The reality is that August lives in the world that we all do, with people who will be kind and people who won't be. At the end of the day each person has to develop their own mechanism for dealing with both types of people. The only way August would develop these skills is by interacting with his peers. School therefore became a place to learn both academic and social life skills that will prepare him for his future. The hope is that with each encounter, whether positive or negative, will help to prepare him for the next one.
It is hard for a parent who has a student with a disability. I think that it's important to realize that even though a child has a disability, it shouldn't keep that student from being treated like any other kid their age. No matter where you talented child people are going to see them, and they may or may not talk or make fun of them. That shouldn't keep someone from trying to live a normal life.
I think the end goal is to make sure that the student feels supported and loved no matter what. Surround the child with supportive and loving people. building the student up when the world is tearing them down. I think it's important that even though the student might look like their peers it doesn't mean they should be treating them any different. I think this, in turn, helps students without disabilities learn acceptance and support of those who are "different" than them.
One of the hardest things for a student with disabilities to feel is normal. As the parent of a child with challenges, you want your child to feel as normal and accepted as possible. Augie's parents wanted the same thing for him. No matter where you take your child, no matter where they might go, there will always be people who will stare, who will judge without taking the time to know, and who will make your child feel less than normal. So, you do the best you can as a parent to make that normal as normal as possible for your child.
You also cannot shield your child from the world forever—this, too, is a rather difficult proposition for parents. How do you help create that safe normal for your child? You can't. All you can do is support your child, be there for him or her when it gets rough, and keep telling them that they are worthy, they are loved, and they are normal—just like Augie.
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