Research has examined teacher attitudes, knowledge, and stigma towards inclusion of autistic children in mainstream schools. Less focus has been given to these beliefs among parents. This is problematic as parents are important in the implementation of inclusion and fostering a positive school environment. The current study examined differences in…

Down syndrome is acknowledged to be the most common neurogenetic cause for intellectual disability. It is a multisystem disorder which results in multiple lifelong health problems. At present, students with Down syndrome can receive education in inclusive mainstream education settings. However, this is not without its accompanying challenges. The…

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the attitudes of students towards peers identified as having special educational needs (SEN) in Portuguese mainstream schools. Data were collected from a sample of 1093 students from 5th to 9th grade across Madeira Autonomous Region. Data collection instruments included the…

A recent special education legislation reform in Greece puts emphasis on the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs into mainstream schools. The purpose of the present study was to investigate knowledge of ASD among 67 mainstream nursery and primary classroom teachers, and evaluate the effectiveness of a half-day ASD awareness seminar…

The purpose of the current investigation is to examine the attitudes and knowledge of principals toward least restrictive environment (LRE) as it relates to students with disabilities in four counties in Northeast Ohio. The research was conducted using a web-based modified survey that included questions from "The Principals' and Inclusion…

The present research highlights new challenges and opportunities faced by counsellors in relation to the movement to include students with disabilities within mainstream schools launched by the Ministry of Education in Turkey. The main purpose of the study was to examine perceptions of counsellors in relation to this movement. Interviews were…

An ever-increasing number of children with and without disabilities are attending early childhood programmes and learning together. Early childhood inclusion considers all children with and without disabilities, and their families as full members of the early childhood community. Although many early childhood teachers accept the educational rights…

It is generally assumed that preschool teachers play a crucial daily role in the inclusion of young children with a disability in education settings. In many countries, however, there are little available data to inform such a view. Part of a larger project with 528 preschool teachers from northern Thailand, the aim of the study reported here was…

The aim of the current study was to examine the experience, attitudes and knowledge of school staff in relation to inclusive education for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) in mainstream secondary schools. Fifty-three participants from 11 secondary schools in the north-west of England completed a survey that covered socio-demographic…

This study explores reflections of a group of postgraduate early childhood students in relation to their self-reported attitudes towards inclusive education. Participant self-reported attitudes towards inclusive education were measured using an adapted version of the Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education Scale (ATIES) and an adapted version of the…

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities are being included full time in general education classrooms. General education teachers are assuming greater responsibility for the academic progress of students with special needs. Prior to the EAHCA, the education of students with disabilities was the primary responsibility of the special…

Limited research exists on what preservice teachers know and believe about children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their inclusion in general education classrooms, especially in early childhood education. In this preliminary study, knowledge and attitudes of 15 early childhood preservice teachers at a large southeastern university were…

This study examined perspectives on inclusion and schooling of a sample of 68 parents of children with Angelman Syndrome (a severe and complex disability), and solicited their suggestions and recommendations for educators. Participants responded to a scale titled, "Perceptions of Parents of Children with Angelman Syndrome toward School" adapted…

This study was conducted during a period of national educational reforms in Jordan to investigate Jordanian preservice early childhood teachers' attitudes toward inclusion and the adequacy of their current preparation for implementing inclusion. The study also sought to identify the perceived concerns of preservice early childhood teachers about…

This study examines the perceptions of elementary education majors (EEMs) and secondary education majors (SEMs) toward the inclusion of students with disabilities (SWDs) prior to and after taking a course on integrating exceptional students. The study is guided by Pajares' (1992) framework on beliefs. Successful teaching and learning in the…