Today the issue of how young children with and without special needs play and learn together is getting more and more attention and support from a variety of sources. Although many educators and parents realize the importance of having effective early childhood programs that serve children with all abilities and their families, less clear are data…

This study's purpose was to explore effectiveness of alternate format in-service delivery for what teachers needed to know to effectively teach their students with Autism Spectrum Disorder/High Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome (ASD/HFA/AS) in the general education setting. The study's research questions included: Did participants learn…

Social inclusion is the process that will enable every person in society to participate in normal activities of societies they live in, including education, employment, public services and social recreational activities. For the development of an inclusive society, preparation of younger generation also needs to be inclusive. Our schools must…

In a special section of the "American Annals of the Deaf", Deaf education and the Deaf community in South Africa are discussed. The special section is organized into 7 segments: a historical overview to establish context, the educational context, educators and learners, postgraduate education and employment, perspectives of Deaf children…

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) states that transition planning should begin at the earliest age appropriate and no later than age 16. IDEA requires schools to make collaborative efforts to provide students access to an array of postschool activities including integrated employment, postsecondary…

Public schools represent the pluralism of American society. Unfortunately, many children experience their public school environment as unwelcoming or even violent. Prejudicial attitudes contribute to problematic intergroup relations in public school settings. Furthermore, teachers are often unprepared to work with the diversity of class,…

One of the major aims for the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) within the mainstream classroom is to reduce prejudice and increase social interaction among children. Nevertheless, research has consistently shown that pupils with SEN remain less accepted by and may experience greater loneliness than their non-SEN peers. This…

This paper is a reflection on practice. It begins by briefly describing an evaluation of an externally-funded education programme in Kosovo (a new country in south-east Europe). The programme was managed by Save the Children in Kosovo and aimed to develop and promote models of inclusive education through three strands of activity. The first of…

This article reports two related studies. In the first study, concern and rejection ratings of 14 inclusive teachers toward 26 students with disabilities were correlated with teacher--student interactions. Partial correlations, controlling for severity of disability, indicated that instructional-academic interactions corresponded significantly…

In order for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to find acceptance and to develop friendships similar to those of their typical peers, they must be provided with the opportunities to do so. With appropriate planning and supports, inclusive classrooms can provide such opportunities for children with ASD, just as they do for typical…

This article addresses the need to make differences ordinary as inclusive school programs are developed and implemented. Qualities that are hallmarks of inclusive classrooms and that ensure that differences become an ordinary part of classroom practices are then addressed. These qualities ensure that supports provided in the inclusive classroom…

As an occupational therapist running social play groups with sensory integration for children on the autism spectrum, the author frequently doubted the wisdom of combining several children on the spectrum into a group. In fact, as the owner of a clinic she said, "No more!" The groups seemed like a waste of parents' time and money, and she refused…

Performance patterns in reading, mathematics, and composition of over 13,000 special education students in grades 1 through 6 are examined relative to mainstream performance patterns. The performance of special education students is slightly less than but mirrors mainstream performance patterns. As the mainstream performance graph rises or falls…

Presented at the California Federation Conference of The Council for Exceptional Children in 1979, the paper discusses the mainstreaming of handicapped students into regular physical education classes. The need for and purpose of mainstreaming handicapped students into regular physical education classes are examined, and specific mainstreaming…

Successful implementation of a mainstreaming program will require cooperation between the regular classroom teacher and the special education teacher. (JD)