How can I facilitate social interaction and communication between children with and without special needs?

Question

Info/advice from regular/special education teachers needed please as I will be implementing this in my classroom

One last thing... it's for an early childhood classroom (below 5th grade)

Answer 1

I find that giving a child with special needs a "buddy" who is "typically developing" tends to help. I usually choose a girl who is a little (how shall we say?) bit of a leader. Girls tend to have a little more of the nurturing and protective element. Choose one person to help out the other child, makes sure that they get their assignments, stay on task, do their work... just be a reminder for the child with special needs. Talk with the children truthfully about the child's qualities and needs. "Yes, Joshua can write, but he can't speak very well yet." Tell the other children what they can do to help him out. "Erica, since you are good at understanding what Joshua wants, can you make sure that he gets what he needs to do his work?" Praise the children for sticking up for their friend (this is especially hard in 2nd on up- the kids are starting to really notice differences). Build a sense of community within your classroom, and expect that the children take care of one another outside of it as well. Show the children what the child with special needs can do well, and try to find the similarities. If the child with special needs is really into baseball, find another child in the class with the same interests who can talk about them with them. Mostly, it is all about fostering a sense of belonging with all the children, pointing out everyone's achievements, and having a sense of comraderie.

Answer 2

There are a couple of things you have to look at. The first is the disability. If it is just a learning or developmental delay, then just having high interest activities and time to spend is really all you need. If the disability is autism or one that has a lot of communication issues, you will probably have to facilitate (or an aide) the interaction. I find that with my autisitic students, if I sit and play the activity with them and have conversations with their "typically functioning" peers, more interaction takes place. The other issue you need to look at is the age. I work in a preschool setting and there is a lot more time that I can allow for social interaction. When you get into first grade and above, you have so many other things to deal with in the classroom that finding the time is at issue.
The main thing you have to remember is that you need to facilitate, not force interaction. It will happen on it's own with the right environments and supports.

Answer 3

My daughter has Downs and the best thing her teacher ever did was including her in the regular classroom. She, of course had a para professional on hand but the exposure the "normal" kids got was a learning experience for them as well. - A heart is a heart sort of experience. Last year she and her class graduated from high school. The regular kids made sure she was included in their senior plans through out the year. There was no way they were going to leave her behind. They never thought any less of her and to this day call her to see what she is doing and sometimes they even go to parties together. I have to say that if you want to change the world, you have to start with the eyes of a child. It will show when they become adults.

Answer 4

Children with special needs are often integrated into regular ed classrooms. When a child with special needs, for example down syndrome, is brought into a classroom the teacher needs to answer questions that the regular ed students might have about the child. Young children are curious as to why the child might look like they do, act like they do, and so on. Pair the reg ed children with the special needs children. Answer questions without violating the confidentiality of the special needs child though.

Answer 5

I teach a high school class and I have the kids play board games, they go to a history class (but don't take the tests), go to an art class taught by their regular ed peers. I find that they do well when they can interact doing something fun. Some other ideas : play sports games together, give the special ed kids a chance to show what they are good at, etc. good luck

Answer 6

I know some teachers who do a social skills lunch. Have a special education student bring a buddy to lunch in your classroom and after eating either play a game, talk about how to make friends, go outside for a walk etc...

Answer 7

One great tip someone gave me once is to make sure the "typical" children feel like they're helping you and the "special needs" kids. Kids LOVE being helpful and being told they're better at something than someone else (indirectly in this case; obviously you're not going to say "Little Johnny really sucks at this art project, so can you help him?"), and asking them personally to help out really makes a difference (this works with adults in any situation, too! Leave a bag on the beach and if someone steals it nobody will say a thing, but if you've asked a random person sitting near you to watch it, they'll feel responsible for making sure it stays safe). I'm a therapist/aide for children with autism, and I've gotten the "typical" kids to be much more accepting when they're put in a helper role--everything from art to gymnastics to recesses! Good luck.

Answer 8

The ideas you have received are good already, but I thought I would add this....It's a good idea is to do a lesson on how everyone is different and how we can all help each other. A lot of negative stuff happens when "typical" kids don't know how to react to special needs kids. You don't have to single anyone out. Just highlight similarities and differences and how everyone is special. Good luck!

Answer 9

Jigsaw activities...Are you familiar? Have small groups research (text, web) one topic or aspect of study, then members from the groups mix and teach each other what they've learned.

Answer 10

Games, but not competitive ones like sports. Perhaps simple board games...