Chelie, from White replied:
During my first year, one kindergartner with special education needs, would not line up after recess. My solution was to take her hand , call the rest of the class, and then help her to line up. However, the classroom teacher wouldn't settle for that. We designed a behavior modification plan and within a week she was lining up. That was the first time I realized my standards might be too low and that I needed higher expectations for all students.

Carol, from Barkley replied:
Peers offering other children choices to encourage language. Telling other children to "use your words" thereby encouraging verbal language. I've heard children "prompt" others in a way that they've heard an adult model. Children offering each other reminders that "it's your turn," or even giving phonemic cues or touch cues for children who are working on specific sounds. Children are so helpful to each other.

Lana, from Bright Futures replied:
We need to all work together to make inclusion work..

Laura, from St. Ben's Infant/Toddler replied:
I love to use siblings and peers to model the behavior I intend to elicit. I stress to parents and teachers to expect the sibling or peer to do what you're trying to make your target child do. For example, I make all kids use signs or words when requesting, not just the kids "in speech therapy". All the kids learn. All the kids get feedback/praise. The Speech-language kids don't get singled out. It's good for everyone's self-esteem.

Renee, from Bright Futures replied:
A little boy who commented after being put in a full inclusion school, "I feel very special because I get to be with my friends ALL the time."

Sarah, from Tri-County replied:
This student, with a unique, medically complicated condition, requiring much attention to diet and daily health, has been able to attend a community preschool for two years. Community preschool staff have been extremely supportive and accepting and accommodating of this student. This student has gone from being essentially non-verbal to talking in short sentences and her social skills have blossomed in the inclusive setting. Parents are thrilled with the progress that has been made and the peer relationships she has established. This inclusive programming has been included in her transition plan for kindergarten.

Another student who has highly unintelligible speech has been in attendance in a community preschool for two years. Under these inclusive conditions with peer speech models, he has developed intelligible speech, as well as established friendships with the same children with whom he will attend school. The preschool teacher has borrowed materials from the speech/language pathologist to utilize within her classroom to help with lesson planning and the development of all of the children in her classroom.

At one particular center that showed some resistance to our presence initially, has now developed a scheduled routine that allows for our participation. They have incorporated circle times, creative art times, and other developmentally appropriate activities that have enhanced their programs and the staff's enthusiasm.

Sharon, from Raintree replied:
This may sound funny, but the "best" inclusion is when you walk into a preschool classroom and you cannot "find" the special needs child (he is equally participating in an activity) and you don't know who appears to be the teacher in the classroom (all adults are working with the children). Service providers (speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, vision teachers, and hearing teachers) don't look like service providers but perhaps another teacher or adult helper.

Peers are wonderful teachers and learn quickly. I sometimes bring in target articulation cards to help with more focus on certain sounds. We play a "memory" or matching game. Usually peers "take over" the activity and once a child said to me, "Here, let me show you how to play this game!"

Suzy, from Barkley replied:
Our current setting at Barkley provides an ideal inclusive setting. It is an excellent training model for graduate students. Hopefully they will learn from this model and adapt it as necessary when they begin their new jobs.

Tasha, from St. Ben's Preschool replied:
All children get a chance to participate; therefore all children learn. When you learn something new you feel great about yourself.

Previous Question     List All Questions