Parents and teachers need to work together to help children with special needs develop meaningful friendships. Emphasis is on the need for parents and teachers to build structures likely to facilitate the development of friendships. (DB)

This monograph is a compilation of comments written by elementary level classmates of students with severe disabilities, produced as part of Maine's statewide project for inclusive schools, Project LEARNS (Local Education for All in Regular Neighborhood Schools). The comments are grouped into six categories: (1) valuing differences and overcoming…

Discusses the ways in which families and children with developmental disabilities can attain "full citizenship" with a creed of positive contribution, great expectations, friendships, choices, and strengths. (BB)

In this article, two university students, Tyler Hnatuk and Rashaad Sayeed share their experience with education in an inclusive school and how that experience taught them about building a society for all. By sharing their story of a "youth partnership" they hope to enable others to be active in their communities and in their education.

This book is a collection of photographs and accompanying text that focuses on the inclusion of high school students with disabilities in general education classrooms in New Hampshire. For each topic, a black-and-white picture is presented of a student with a disability in a general education setting. The opposing page has a paragraph on what…

Guidelines for the inclusion of students with severe disabilities in general education programs include (1) respecting parent and student preferences regarding programming; (2) fostering the general-education teacher's sense of empowerment, control, and support; (3) facilitating friendships among children; and (4) structuring classrooms to…

This paper summarizes findings of a 3-year study assessing outcomes for 35 children (preschool to high school aged) with mild to severe disabilities in inclusive educational settings. Additionally, the study looked at "connected" pairs of children--each pair including a child with and a child without a disability. It identified three main areas of…

Describes ways in which regular elementary classroom teachers can teach social skills and address classroom relationships to facilitate social integration of mildly handicapped students into the mainstream. Recommends a directive instructions method for correcting students' social skills problems. Notes steps teachers can take to increase the…

This policy research brief summarizes findings of a multistate assessment of postschool outcomes and community adjustment for young adults with severe disabilities, the National Transition Study of Individuals with Severe Disabilities Leaving School. The study was intended to provide policy-relevant information on the postschool outcomes and…