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Do You Like Me?
Encourage Social Inclusion for Preteens with Special Needs
By Teri Brown
There are some risks that accompany attempts to enhance social inclusion. All of us are rejected at times and you can be sure that similar experiences will occur with children with disabilities. Such experiences, however, are a part of life and must be accepted as a necessary evil if inclusion is the goal.
3. Don't engage your child in activities that are not socially valued by his or her peer group.
Recreational and leisure activities provide an excellent environment for social inclusion. However, the activities in which children with disabilities take part need to be socially valued by peers if they are to be effectively used as a context to achieve this goal. This means that a parent needs to be aware not only of the interests of one child but of the preferences of similar age peers within the community.
4. Don't enroll your child in activities that are not intrinsically interesting to him or her.
Social interaction occurs naturally when children are enjoying what they are doing. It is much less likely to occur if a child is engaging in activities that are not preferred. Base your child's participation on his or her preferences, likes and dislikes, rather than your convenience or what you assume will be interesting to your child.
5. Don't hover.
Nothing kills opportunities for social inclusion like the presence of an adult.
6. Don't give up.
Failures are almost certain to occur. If one persists however, the rewards will be more than worth the effort. There are children and young adults without disabilities who are willing and able to develop and maintain meaningful social relationships with peers with disabilities. These relationships have the potential to enrich the lives of both parties.