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Mirian Detres-Hickey, PhD
I am a SPED, raised in the south Bronx. A Sped is a Special Education individual. Although I never received services because Individual with Disabilities Education Act,(IDEA) did not exist I was ab...view moreI am a SPED, raised in the south Bronx. A Sped is a Special Education individual. Although I never received services because Individual with Disabilities Education Act,(IDEA) did not exist I was able to graduate. In those days, we were just called stupid and encouraged to drop out of school. Well I didn’t drop out. When I graduated from High School I had a 3.6 reading level and I was proud of it. I went through a lot of changes. I was unable to read so I couldn’t find a job. It wasn’t easy. I was homeless for a while. However, my priority was my children and therefore, I knew I had to do something for them. It was not easy as I was and still am slow at comprehending many things. My disabilities are acute dyslexic, hard of hearing from one ear and only have approximately 30% of my short term memory.
I decided to attend college. With my persistence and my children as my motivators; I received a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, a Master’s degree in Special Education, a second Master’s degree in Human Services administration and my pride of job a PhD in Special Education. I have been in the field of Special Education for more than 38 years. I have taught students from the age of 3 with Autism to college level courses and have been an administrator for the past 15 + years.
I believe people have the wrong impression of the Speds. Either they pity us too much like many parents and that only leads to intense problems and making the child more dependent on the parents or the child is just considered a trouble maker because he/she can’t sit still or read. Out of their frustration they act out. I wanted to talk about the true Sped and the caring and loving individuals they can be.view less
Books by Mirian Detres-Hickey, PhD
Speds (Special Education Students): An Inside View and Experiences of Educational Systems by a Sped