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…

Background: Past studies have found that people supported in more individualised housing options tend to have levels of community participation and wider social networks than those in other accommodation options. Yet, the contribution of support staff in facilitating social inclusion has received relatively scant attention. Methods: In all 245…

Education for newly arrived students in Sweden is commonly organised in introductory classes, providing a basis for transition to the mainstream system. Focusing on the hitherto underinvestigated question of how newly arrived students experience the time in and transition between introductory and regular classes, we analyse the social and…

For English learners reclassifying to fluent English proficient signifies reaching a milestone indicating the ability to function in mainstream classes without support. Employing a longitudinal, multimethod approach, I describe patterns of reclassification using administrative data for 7 cohorts of students over 2 years in a large urban district.…

Because of the focus on inclusion in public schools today, the interest regarding how to effectively support students with special needs in the general education environment, both academically and socially has been ignited. While we have witnessed an increase in the academic success of students included in general education classrooms, we have not…

The purpose of this study is to identify the requirements for the success of the integration program and to find out the causes of success and to provide optimal services for the students with disabilities in regular schools. The study attempts to answer the following questions: (1) What are the most important requirements of the success of the…

Maximizing the interaction between pupils with and without special needs is generally considered an important aspect of inclusion. However, it is frequently questioned whether pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in regular classrooms have interactions and friendships with their peers. In order to be able to evaluate these relationships, it…

This paper focuses on the impact of peer mediation as a strategy for promoting social inclusion in primary school settings. Peer mediation constituted one of the interventions in the UK Government-sponsored On Track programme and evaluative data from this project are reported. The paper reports on trends in bullying and anti-social behaviour in…

Over the past decades significant changes have occurred throughout all aspects of the field of Special Education in Spain. One of these changes is related to appropriate and effective instruction for students with disabilities and diverse educational needs in inclusive classroom placements. All of these change efforts have created the need to…

This annotated bibliography lists 18 publications to help educators more effectively include students with disabilities in mainstream programs. The publications, including books, journal articles, videotapes, and reports, are dated from 1987 through 1993, and most are available through the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) system or…

The document reports on an international seminar on the role of recreational activities in the social integration of handicapped children. Chapter I presents concluding remarks by M. Neale about the seminar. Chapter II gives an overview of proceedings in the areas of social and philosophical change; theoretical considerations regarding…

A parent recounts his Downs Syndrome son's integration into a regular Boy Scout troop and subsequent earning of the Eagle rank. His Eagle project involved speaking about his disability in local elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. Policies of the Boy and Girl Scout organizations concerning disabled members are summarized. (CB)

This paper addresses the issues of molar versus molecular assessment of integration of people with disabilities, definitions of integration, and assessment in measuring integration. Measures for four integration components are presented: (1) physical integration, (2) social integration, (3) relationships, and (4) social networks. (Author/DB)

Teachers will have little influence on the social integration of handicapped children unless they plan and encourage cooperative activities between the handicapped and the nonhandicapped. (Author/IRT)

This factsheet describes a theater workshop in London, England, called Chicken Shed, in which children with and without disabilities or learning difficulties work together to produce performances for public audiences. The factsheet describes the members of the theater workshop, the group's philosophy, the opportunities it offers, the impact of…