This study examined strategies used by 18 general education teachers to promote positive relationships between elementary students with and without moderate to severe disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Five strategies were identified: active facilitation of social interactions, empowering children, building a sense of community, modeling…

Fifteen children with autism participated in monthly cooperative art activities with same-age nondisabled peers at a children's museum. Nondisabled children received information concerning disabilities and were encouraged to be friendly. Both younger and older children with autism received more positive interactions from nondisabled peers during…

This study surveyed parents of youth with severe disabilities using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and siblings without disabilities to examine leisure participation patterns. Statistically significant differences existed between groups relative to diversity of leisure participation, related social communication,…

Examines assimilation as it exists in the United States, including the ethnic concentrations in specific socioeconomic groups; educational attainment by ethnic ancestry; the decline of the mother tongue; and intermarrying and the marriage patterns of major ancestral groups. Overall, evidence shows that ethnic distinctiveness is eroding among…

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)

This survey of 82 first-year medical students at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, found that students with more experience working or interacting socially with African Americans or Hispanics were more likely to expect to treat minority patients, practice with minority partners, and reside in predominantly…

Explains how teachers can introduce cooperative learning, suggesting they (1) discuss cooperative behavior with students; (2) initiate small, basic, cooperative groups and activities; (3) facilitate cooperation; (4) add variety and expand the activities. Essential elements include positive interdependence, individual accountability, personal…

The movement for multiculturalism has developed in part as a reaction to the dominance of the U.S. scientific culture. The U.S. language and U.S. culture are globally accepted as closest to the world's common culture. Those who advocate multiculturalism on U.S. campuses are seceding from this common culture. (SLD)

Argues that social exclusion, as evidenced by unemployment and educational failure, is a persistent structural feature in European countries. Suggests that multicultural education and other educational strategies should provide global awareness of the world's major problems and the solidarity of mankind and training in nonviolent democratic…

Uses news stories in "Iere," a Caribbean community newspaper in Washington, DC, to examine the communication and relationship that Caribbean immigrants develop with their native referent groups. The 98 stories reviewed suggest stronger identification with the Caribbean community as a whole than with the specific islands Trinidad and…

A multifaceted model to promote peer play was implemented with play groups including 3 children (ages 6-8) with autism, resulting in decreased isolate play and collateral gains in social play, and decreased stereotyped object play and collateral gains in functional object play. Advances in play behaviors were generalized and were accompanied by…

This article discusses seven "megatrends" in rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. They include changes in the demography of disability, the empowerment of people with disabilities, the policy of integration, and the rising cost of health and social services. Also considered are changes in rehabilitation service delivery…

This investigation examined longitudinal cost data of one school district's movement toward more inclusive practices. Findings included district costs were significantly less than comparable costs for out-of-district services; numbers of students with severe disabilities significantly increased over a five-year period; and contractual (related…

The social support networks of 418 adults with mental retardation who live at home were found to be large, durable, active, and diverse in their composition. Family members predominated as members. Males and those with the most severe mental retardation were found to be at risk for social isolation. (Author/JDD)

Discusses the value of multicultural dance education in the core curriculum. Multicultural dance provides a means of understanding cultural differences and helps students understand and clarify their own value systems. Educators communicate values to students through their educational structures which, in dance, cross barriers of language,…