This information brief provides an example of how one locally-initiated program has implemented the Peer Support Specialist role for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. The brief covers aspects of training, coaching, supervision, role definition and financing; and describes challenges and solutions.

Presented is the transcript of a radio program on handicapped children in the classroom. Through interviews with students, teachers, parents, and state and local officials, the program touches on peer acceptance, teacher training, problems with mainstreaming, teacher concerns about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), parent rights, and the…

Study shows that faster ILP students tended to dominate in dyadic interactions with slower learners during structured play situations, while equal dyads were composed of students with similar achievement rates. Study suggests that ILP might increase rather than reduce negative school attitudes, and that further research regarding this possibility…

The paper reports on a program for mainstreaming acoustically handicapped high school students. Among aspects discussed are criteria for success in mainstreamed programs, itinerant speech therapy services, individualized education programs, and support staff (counselors) roles and functions. The scope of orientation sessions for regular class…

This study examined the moderating effects of peer social avoidance on responses of six autistic children to an inclusive classroom treatment model. Peer social avoidance (but not mental age or language level) predicted variations in outcomes for subsequent peer avoidance and language use. Results have implications for matching child…

This brief illustrated booklet suggests procedures for the incorporation of planned peer tutoring into daily classroom rountines. This method of instruction has been found to be usable with a variety of academic tasks and is seen as one way to achieve individualization of instruction. The booklet focuses on the definition of peer tutoring;…

This paper presents a discussion of the integration of handicapped children into preschool programs. The paper is divided into five sections. The first section defines some of the terms frequently used in discussions of mainstreaming. These terms include mainstreaming; normalization; P. L. 94-142, the law providing for education for all…

The purpose of this guide is to help educators understand and be able to respond effectively to the needs of children with Asperger Syndrome in an inclusive classroom setting. This guide is meant to orient educators to the challenges and skills of students with Asperger Syndrome and outline strategies that can be easily implemented to meet their…