Doing It Our Way

At the most recent meeting of the Orton Society I had the pleasure of talking with Mrs. Slingerland. To say I found her interesting, even intriguing, would seem an understatement to her disciples — yes, disciples! Indeed, it is the personal loyalty and high professional standards of those who have learned from her that prompted me to seek this conversation. As we talked about some of her personal milestones — over fifty years as an educator — both her deep commitment and unique blend of viewpoints emerged. Along with the humble recognition of how much there is to be learned in order to serve children there were strongly definitive attitudes: a rejection of government support, and insistence on “language” and not “learning” disabilities, and hence a rejection in part of special education in favor of regular education. — G.M.S.