What Does the Inclusional Model Look Like?
When placing a special needs student into the regular classroom, every effort possible must be made to ensure the student's placement meets with success. Students and teachers will need to understand the diverse needs of the particular student in order for the model to be successful. [link urlhttp://specialed.about.com/od/integration/a/awareness.htm]Peer support[/link] needs to be in place. Peers may act as helpers and companions to ensure that the child is met with total acceptance. Supports are in place to ensure that the child is able to participate in every way possible. Sometimes the support may be an educational assistant. It's the lack of exposure to students with disabilities that create the fears. When regular students are exposed to special needs students - acceptance occurs. Peer support and encouragement occurs quickly in an accepting environment. The teacher may need to develop some peer support lessons along the lines of 'Building Friendships', Strengths and Weaknesses We All Have, 'What It's Like to Be Missing 1 of the 5 Senses'. These types of lessons provide the regular student with a window into the life of a special needs student.
