Social participation of students with special educational needs (SEN) is a key issue in the inclusion debate. However, the meaning of concepts like social integration, social inclusion and social participation used in current literature is often unclear. Recently, these concepts were clarified based on preschool and primary school literature. The…

This paper describes factors which influence the development of relationships between individuals with disabilities and "typical" people. People with disabilities are often separated from their families and communities, cast into roles of dependency and passivity, and kept at a social distance from other community members. Typical…

Although children with moderate to significant disabilities participate in regular education, they often attend a school outside their own neighborhood, thereby limiting the effects of mainstreaming. The La Grange Area (Illinois) Department of Special Education has experimented with various learning strategies to facilitate inclusion and imparts…

Describes successful practices for the socialization of students with and without disabilities in the general education classroom. A model of inclusion conducive to establishing positive interactions and communication among students with and without disabilities is presented. Effective intervention strategies involving the relationship between two…

This study of four young children at risk for disabilities investigated the interaction of classroom variables that enhance or inhibit the development and maintenance of relationships with typically developing peers within kindergarten settings. Results indicated that instrumental classroom variables were teacher philosophy, the physical classroom…

Among 20 ways suggested for promoting friendships between children with disabilities and typically achieving peers are to: be open and honest about disabilities; make disability a comfortable concept; create social opportunities; be a good model; teach social skills in the classroom; intervene proactively; and encourage collaboration. (DB)

The paper describes the development and psyhometric validation of an instrument to measure co-worker involvement with employees with handicaps in supported employment settings. The Co-worker Involvement Instrument contains 10 items pertaining to physical integration, social integration, vocational integration, training, associating frequency,…

A yearly "Friendship Games" day has been implemented at an Edmonton (Alberta) elementary school. The games focus on integration of students with and without disabilities in sports activities, many of which require cooperation. Examples of specific activities are listed (including materials needed, procedure, and scoring) and a suggested physical…

The friendship status of 58 preschoolers with disabilities in inclusive child care settings in North Carolina was examined. The majority of children were found to have at least one friend. Associated factors included diagnosis, developmental level, behavioral characteristics, characteristics of the friend, similarities between the child and the…

A follow-up study of 73 former special school students in New South Wales, Australia, found that 42 percent were in open employment. Those with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities were generally at sheltered workshops, activity centers, or home. Approximately 54 percent lived with their parents, and 69 percent reported a few close…

A study compared the effects of social integration activities and group friendship activities in enhancing social relations with two preschoolers with disabilities in two inclusive classrooms. Results indicated differential benefits across the two approaches, suggesting a need to tailor the selection of interventions to the individual child's…

Three focus groups were convened, consisting of 11 mothers of elementary-age students with various disabilities. Mothers viewed friendship as both an important and a worthy end in itself. Nine peer-specific friendship goals for friendship development were identified, along with 3 broader goals to which friendship was perceived to contribute.…

Nashville (Tennessee) elementary-school students with and without disabilities produced a musical play called "Super Kids." The play included songs about super heroes, communication, student rights, aspirations, and believing in oneself. The impact of the play on peer attitudes and development of friendships is noted. (JDD)

Semi-structured interviews with 21 nonhandicapped high school students indicated that their experiences with peers with moderate to severe disabilities had resulted in such benefits as improved self-concept, increased tolerance of other people, reduced fear of human differences, and development of personal principles. Areas of difficulty were also…

This article suggests specific strategies to prevent rejection and isolation and encourage interactions when students with disabilities are integrated into general education classes. Teachers are encouraged to foster proximity, teach peer support and friendship skills, foster respect for individual differences, and provide a positive model. (DB)