Would you push the parents of a slow learner to apply for a "special education" report or would you treat the kid like you treat his or her peers?

I would recommend the kid for special education. While treating him as his peers might be more appealing and seem the right thing to do from an emotional perspective, on the long run, the child will not progress with his education and the fruit of treating him as his peers will affect his whole life.On the other hand, special education will help him develop and might even help him overcome his problem and he might grow up as a normal adult.