JM Special Education Timeline

By justinemendoza
  • Born

    Born

  • Met my first "Special Needs" classmate in Preschool

  • Learned about sign language (ASL)

  • Lived near the California School for the Blind

    Lived near the California School for the Blind

    I would oftentimes see blind people walking with guides, showing them specific landmarks to help them find their way.

  • Our high school would play against the School for the Deaf's high school team and I noticed the inaudible cues they would use to signal the team instead of whistles.

  • When I began commuting by BART more regularly I began noticing the textural markers and guides for the visually impaired on the platform and on sidewalks.

  • My nephew was diagnosed with ADHD.

    I began to research more about ADHD and autism. My sister shortly thereafter was diagnosed officially with ADHD and self-diagnosed herself with autism. I learn about the inconsistencies and irregularities of diagnosing people with autism and other neurodivergencies. I learned that girls go undiagnosed more often than boys.

  • Began SSU SPED Class