This manuscript identifies the challenges of children with special needs and their families. This text further highlights the complexity of integrating children with intellectual differences into inclusive settings. Furthermore, the author incorporates the teamwork and collaboration principles and practices of the Division for Early Childhood…

This study explored pre-service teachers' attitudes toward including students with ASD in general education. Ten participants from a mid-size teacher preparation program at a northeastern university participated in a focus group inquiry. The exploratory questions used during the focus group were derived from The Attitude Toward Inclusive Education…

Delays in social and communication skills are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Structured play groups (SPGs) was deemed an evidence-based practice (EBP) for children with ASD. A critical review of research published within the past 16 years and accessible in four databases was conducted with a total of 3,153 articles identified of…

This article details the development and statistical validation of the diagnostic, observational tool Assessment of the Inclusion of Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (AISSEND) designed to measure the type, frequency, and duration of inclusive practices implemented within an inclusion classroom. The goal of the research team…

With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) in 2004, students with disabilities are expected to be educated in the least restrictive environment to the greatest extent possible. Through the practice of inclusive education, students with disabilities who are classified and possess IEPs can be…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Special Education course on pre-school teacher candidates' knowledge levels and perspectives towards inclusive practices as well as their willingness and self-confidence about working in an inclusive classroom. The single group pre-test- post-test design was conducted to see whether there…

The main goal of this study was to determine whether, in schools that practice inclusion, there is a correlation between the attitudes of school principals and teachers in their schools, towards inclusion of student with special needs. For this purpose, 38 schools were sampled in each of which the school principal and five teachers who work with…

This qualitative research examined the factors that affect collaboration practices of two rural elementary schools. The interviews revealed that the teachers are key to inclusion and successful collaboration in their classrooms. School administrators are vital to implement and support the school-wide collaboration including coordinating schedules,…

This study examined autism support teachers' attitudes about inclusion, as well as perceived barriers and resource needs. A survey was developed for this study and administered to 27 elementary teachers in autism support (AS) classrooms in a large, urban district. Approximately 75% of students in the sample were educated primarily in…

Students classified with disabilities make up more than 13 percent of the public school population in the United States, but they remain on the margins of social studies research. Thus, we know very little about social studies education in inclusive settings. This study explores how social studies methods classes in one teacher education program…

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in general education and special education teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of students with disabilities and to ascertain if levels of self-efficacy, teacher type, and education level were predictors of teachers' attitudes towards inclusion. Data were collected from 118 elementary and…

Art therapy is an alternative therapeutic intervention implemented with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Researchers, therapists, and parents suggest that art therapy is an effective treatment for targeting social and communicative behaviors. However, there is a paucity of evidence-based research to support this claim. A…

This study examined the extent to which six antecedent variables influenced college students' attitudes towards autism. A comprehensive literature review and factor analysis identified the six perceived antecedents, including "learning and volunteer experience," "family/friends with autism," "parental role,"…

The inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom is one of the most debated subjects in the field of education today. A review of the literature revealed that while inclusion has been shown to benefit children who receive special education services alongside their non-disabled peers, there are a number of barriers…

This article describes the inclusion challenge children with special needs face on playgrounds and public parks with universal design guiding the rights of children both with and without special needs to have play opportunities. This study evaluated 68 public school elementary playgrounds to determine whether they met Section 502 guidelines for…