This qualitative study examines obstacles hindering social inclusion into mainstream classes from the perspective of Czech high school students with congenital physical disabilities. Data obtained from in-depth interviews were subjected to a situational analysis, with results indicating that the participants (N=10) perceived as challenging their…

This study addresses the convergent validity of a new teacher questionnaire to assess the social participation of students with special needs in regular primary schools. The Social Participation Questionnaire (SPQ) consists of four subscales representing four key themes of social participation: friendships/relationships, contacts/interactions,…

This study addresses the social participation of young students (Grades One to Three) with special needs in regular Dutch primary schools. More specifically, the focus lies on four key themes related to social participation: friendships/relationships, contacts/interactions, students' social self-perception, and acceptance by classmates. The…

The purpose of this study was to examine the social participation of young children with disabilities in inclusive preschool programs. One hundred forty-three preschool-aged children with disabilities were observed in classrooms representing four organizational contexts: community-based, Head Start, public school, and blended. Children's and…

This study addresses the development of a teacher questionnaire to assess the social participation of pupils with special needs in regular primary schools and is divided into 2 parts. In the 1st part, the construction of the questionnaire is described. The questionnaire consists of 30 statements related to 4 key themes of social participation: …

The study involving 60 disabled and 624 nondisabled elementary students compared three methods used to evaluate social ability: teacher ratings, sociometric ratings, and direct observation. Findings revealed that disabled children are viewed as less socially acceptable by both teachers and peers but do not differ from nondisabled peers in actual…

Observation in mainstreamed preschools revealed that retarded Ss were integrated into the peer group's social and emotional, but not verbal, life; teachers' initiation of social integration with retarded Ss was inversely related to degree of peer group integration; and retarded Ss received more enrichment and protection from teachers than from…

The author reviews programs and procedures which have been developed to modify peer acceptance of exceptional children in the regular classroom. (SW)

The author concludes from phone interviews and site visits that there are many approaches for integrating severely handicapped students into school and community settings. Examples cited include dispersal, planned interaction, provision of program support and support for regular teachers. Staff integration, parental support and positive attitudes…

The major goals of the Hawaii Integration Project have been to: (1) promote the development of social interactive skills in severely handicapped children to facilitate their acceptance by and adjustment to integrated community settings; (2) develop effective methods of training (including inservice) to prepare general education teaching staff,…

Teacher interactions with disabled and nondisabled students in 38 mainstreamed elementary classrooms were observed using an interval time-sampling procedure and behavioral categories. Results of discriminant analysis indicated that disabled students received fewer questions and were provided with less teacher feedback than their nondisabled peers.…

Results revealed significantly higher acceptance of individual differences on three attitudinal dimensions by children at an experimental school (N=24) compared to children from schools where no severely handicapped children were enrolled (N=288) and schools with severely handicapped children enrolled but without the interaction program (N=288).…

In an examination of the socialization process of five hearing impaired children (8-10 years old) integrated within hearing groups in a summer day camp, it was found that counselor attitudes improved after exposure to the hearing impaired Ss. (Author/CL)

Intended for both regular and special educators, the book outlines ways to promote integration between students with severe handicaps and their peers. The first of five sections includes an overview about students with severe handicaps as well as background information on the integration of severely handicapped students. Three chapters in section…

An analysis was conducted of positive interactions initiated by 205 regular class students with severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents as a function of two attitude modification treatment conditions. Regular class students were exposed to either information about handicapped persons or the information condition plus structured…