Blog Post#2 Kristin DelMonaco

            Social acceptance is important for every human being, including students with exceptional learning needs. I do agree that children with ELN gain a tremendous amount of exposure to social experiences just by being out in the community. As stated in IDEA 2004, Section 1400, “Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the rights of individuals to participate in or contribute to society.”

I feel that we can promote social acceptance in school through inclusion. There are several benefits for students in the inclusive program including “high outcomes for students with disabilities.” Research has shown that students in the inclusive classroom, “earned higher course grades in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies…inclusive students had better rates of attendance.” (Graf & Jimenez, 2008, p. 81) I understand that a resource room is important but the inclusive classroom is the best answer for the student when it is appropriate. When I did my student teaching at West Middlesex Area School District I had the privilege of witnessing an inclusive classroom and it was amazing. All students received an excellent education and all students, no matter what their abilities or backgrounds, worked together and made friendships!

            Most of my experience stems from my work at The Rich Center for Autism. At the center we strongly believe in exposing our students to the environment around them. We take them for walks around the campus almost daily to have them interact with the students at YSU. During the summer we open our classrooms to peers. These peers tend to be siblings of our students or have a connection to the center. Our students work and play next to their peer role models and our students absolutely love the social interaction. What is special about this opportunity is that while our students gain the social attention, we are able to educate the peers about autism.

            Another method of promoting social acceptance of students with ELN is educating everyone that we possibly can! This past summer I worked at a camp called Camp Friend, organized through the Mahoning County Autism Society. During this camp we took our campers all over the community such as the public library, Camelot Bowling Lanes, swimming, Butler Art Museum, One Hot Cookie and more. On our last day we took them to the Boardman park. As we were playing on the playground, a father approached me and a few of the mothers and inquired about what autism was, how children deal with it, and how can he teach his own children. There is no better feeling than expressing that our students are not a label or a disability but a kid, first and foremost. It is also a great feeling that people want to know more. I do believe that as teachers, parents, and/or advocates for these students we must educate others and abolish any negativity. By doing so, we create schools and communities that willingly accept and integrate these amazing individuals.