What can we do to promote social integration of students with ELN?

I have found that in the classroom we can not control others family driven beliefs of how others are viewed not only based on ELN but race and culture as well but I do believe that by providing a positive classroom climate, having good classroom management, and also providing positive peer interactions I can promote positive social integration of all students.

As stated in Education for All: Critical Issues in the Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities we must ask ourselves “To what end do my efforts and actions support IDEA and ultimately the child’s right to participate to society” (pg33). A positive classroom environment first starts with us as educators, we must model support and acceptance of students’ with special needs, while also directly addressing the importance of mutual acceptance and support within the classroom. We can take the time to prepare and discuss the challenges our disabled student faces to the non-disabled peers in the classroom so that they understand the needs of their new classmates. I have had wonderful experiences with inclusion and have found that students are sympathetic and less likely to have negative feelings to the diversity when they have an understanding to other peers situations and disabilities. All students in the class must be taught self esteem this can be done by showing their competence in performing skills, roles or jobs within the classroom to show their value to others.

Good classroom management requires a common understanding of positive and negative behaviors. Together, we conclude that treating others the way you want to be treated is the best code of conduct. Students are taught that every one of them is different in one way or another so it is not tolerated to pick on or not include someone from an activity based on their differences. We cannot always assume students know how to behave positively in life so we need to teach positive behaviors with the concepts of positive actions that help them feel good about themselves, self-management of emotions, how to get along with others by treating them friendly, kindly, and respectfully, and how we must build trust by being honest, taking responsibility, and admitting mistakes. Even though teachers have to take into account the behaviors that are a manifestation of student's disability students with ELN can be taught strategies on positive behaviors and by creating a positive learning environment we can help build friendships among the students.

In a perfect world all students with ELN would have school experiences like Jason McElwain and have interactions with peers and the whole school community that supported them.  By following the provisions IDEA and allowing students all opportunities available to the non disabled students schools give students opportunities of positive peer interactions. In the classroom by including peer to peer grouping in centers or during assignments or instruction we allow students time to talk and learn about each other. Students can find similarities in their interests or experiences that may be used to form friendships. In my classroom, my student with ELN helped me teach a math lesson, this gave him an opportunity to show his strength and other classmates learned that he had a strength in math and he was able to help other students that were struggling. When it came to Jason McElwain someone took the time to talk to him and/or his parents and learned that he liked basketball. I assume the coach welcomed him to the team and even though Jason was only on the practice squad for most of the year he was able to be part of a sport he loved, and he was able to be connected to other players and supporters of basketball by being a part of the team. When given the opportunity to play in the game his coach, his teammates, and the whole school community would of cheered him on even if his playing time was not as successful as it was.