Inclusive classrooms don't necessarily increase friendships for children with disabilities
Friday, April 24, 2015 - 10:40
in Psychology & Sociology
When parents of children with disabilities drop their child off at kindergarten they often worry about whether they will make friends – a key factor in reducing anxiety, depression and the likelihood of being bullied. The response from schools has been to create inclusive classrooms, where a significant number of students with disabilities receive their education. A new study, however, finds that inclusive classrooms with disability awareness curricula alone do not increase friendships for those students.