Inclusion

Close observation of correct implementation of one of my student's behavior plans has required my attendance to my students' special area classes.  This year my students have all special area classes with the general education population.  I just wanted to mention the importance of peer models to our students with autism.  The majority of my students were imitating students from the general education population.  Others, assigned to one-on-one support staff, required prompting to participate but it was just inspirational to see them in that environment!  Through exposure of this inclusive model, general education students will no longer learn to differentiate individuals with disabilities from themselves.

Upon starting my class "Special Education Systems" I was taught the beginnings of inclusion, which involved a movement specific to civil rights.  Wolf Wolfensberger wrote "Normalization", a book I have purchased that I have yet to read.  He was one of the first people to assign a word to a backwards ideology specific to individuals with disabilities.  When I wikapedia-ed Wolf Wolfensberger, a long line of social scientists and psychologists were named.  One of which, Uta Frith, who was mentioned in Schriebman's book.  I look forward to see who follows her studies.

When you hear about institutionalization, I don't think you can begin to think about how serious of an issue this was.  In the past individuals institutionalized did not receive exposure to the outside world. Now individuals with disabilities have rights.  Participation in a group home provides so much more than an institution ever could.  Thanks to several (unfortunate) mistakes, our nation has made leaps and bounds towards effective resources available to people with disabilities.

Inclusion is an extreme interest of mine.  In fact, I have researched schools such as Montclair University who houses a certificate program for an Inclusion Specialist.  I have a lot more to learn about including students with disabilities into regular education, but that doesn't mean it doesn't ignite a passion!