Educating Special Children

Paper Summary:

The science fiction literary classic, "Flowers for Algernon", details the story of a young, mentally handicapped man named Charlie Gordon, who becomes the subject of an intelligence experiment by a group of researchers. The paper highlights one of the most striking aspects of Charlie's mental and social journey; the sense of profound isolation that surrounds him at both poles of his intellectual progression. The paper powerfully portrays the difficulties involved in educating a developmentally delayed child and a gifted child. The paper emphasizes the message of the book; special children must have their individual needs fulfilled, yet must also have a healthy social environment and be part of a normal peer group and family.

From the Paper:

"The divide between what is considered normal can be as cataclysmic for a gifted child as it is for a developmentally delayed child. Such is the lesson conveyed by Flowers for Algernon. The book details the story of a young, mentally handicapped man named Charlie Gordon, who becomes the subject of an intelligence experiment by a group of researchers. The researchers have enhanced the intelligence of a mouse, the Algernon of the title, so that it is capable of beating Charlie at a series of intelligence tests. Charlie volunteers to be the first human subject of such intellectual enhancement experimentation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Keyes, Daniel. Flowers for Algernon. London: Millennium Masterworks SF, 2000

More papers on Educating Special Children:

• Essay # 65851 : "Special Needs for Special Children"
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• Term Paper # 5237 : "Special Education"

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