Creating Positive School Experiences for Students with Disabilities
The school experiences of students with disabilities can be positively or negatively influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of students and staff and by general school policies. School counselors can take the lead in assessing school climate in relation to students with disabilities and initiating interventions or advocating for change when appropriate. This article provides an overview of factors to consider in creating positive school experiences for students with disabilities and suggestions for intervention efforts.
Individuals with disabilities often are stigmatized, encountering attitudinal and physical barriers both in work and in daily life. Although federal legislation (e.g., Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990) protects the inherent rights of individuals with disabilities, that legislation cannot always protect them from subtle forms of discrimination and prejudice. School-age students with disabilities often have negative school experiences related to their having a disability, and school counselors, administrators, and teachers can help to create more positive school experiences that promote their academic, career, and personal/social growth. By examining the attitudes and behaviors of school staff and students as well as systemic factors related to the school, school counselors in collaboration with other school personnel can determine areas for intervention and respond accordingly.
Attitudes towards students with disabilities
For the past 20 years, researchers have examined the attitudes of a variety of professionals toward individuals with disabilities. Although many researchers found that people in general possess negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities (Gething, LaCour, & Wheeler, 1994; Yuker, 1994), much of the research provided comparisons of only one group of individuals to another without identifying attitudes as positive or negative. In relation to school counselors and educators, very little research has been conducted in the past 10 years, and most of that research has focused on teachers and/or has examined attitudes toward inclusion, as opposed to attitudes specifically toward students with disabilities. The research summarized below suggests that school personnel and students might possess slightly negative attitudes toward students with disabilities and that the attitudes of school counselors are similar to, if not more positive than, those of other school personnel.
Recent research suggests students and teachers possess somewhat negative attitudes toward students with disabilities, or that they view individuals with disabilities as different from and inferior to individuals without disabilities (Gething et al., 1994). From their meta-analysis of research studies published from 1990 to 2000, examining attitudes toward children with disabilities, Nowicki and Sandieson (2002) concluded that children without disabilities generally preferred to interact with children without either physical or intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, McDougall, DeWit, King, Miller, and Killip (2004) examined the attitudes of ninth-grade students toward students with disabilities and found that, although the majority had attitudes classified as neutral to positive, slightly over 20% had negative attitudes. They also found that females had slightly more positive attitudes than did males, and students who had a friend or classmate with a disability had more positive attitudes than those students without direct contact with students with disabilities. Finally, Hastings and Oakford (2003) found that student teachers possessed more negative attitudes toward students with behavioral and/or emotional problems than toward students with cognitive disabilities. The former were perceived to have a more negative impact on the school and on other students.
In comparing attitudes of various professionals toward students with disabilities, Yuker (1994) reported few differences among the attitudes of regular education teachers, special education teachers, administrators, and other educators toward students with disabilities, but he did not state whether their attitudes tended to be positive or negative. Additionally, Carney and Cobia (1994) examined the attitudes of counselor education graduate students and found that students in the school counseling program had significantly more positive attitudes than students in the community counseling program, but significantly less positive attitudes than rehabilitation counseling students. Again, whether individuals with more positive attitudes actually possessed positive attitudes or simply less negative attitudes is unclear. Finally, Milsom (2001) found school counselors to have attitudes toward students with disabilities similar to those of pre-service teachers reported by Eichinger, Rizzo, and Sirotnik (1991).
With regard to attitudes about inclusion, Isaacs, Greene, and Valesky (1998) surveyed elementary school counselors and found that they had somewhat positive attitudes about inclusion. In contrast, Praisner (2003) found that a majority of school principals had either negative or ambivalent attitudes toward inclusion. She found that principals who had completed more training (both pre-service and inservice) related to inclusion and special education had more favorable attitudes. Prior positive experience with students with disabilities also resulted in more positive attitudes toward inclusion among principals.
Yuker and Block (1986) reported that attitudes toward individuals with disabilities are positively correlated with attitudes toward mainstreaming. Although mainstreaming and inclusion are conceptually different (see Alley, n.d., for definitions of these concepts), both relate to the idea of integrating students with disabilities into regular education classrooms. There is no research to support positive correlations between attitudes about inclusion and attitudes toward students with disabilities; however, given the positive correlation between attitudes toward students with disabilities and attitudes toward mainstreaming, it seems likely that such a relationship might exist.
Behaviors towards individuals with disabilities
Just because an educator or a student possesses a negative attitude does not necessarily mean that individual will act negatively toward a student with a disability. Thoughts and actions are often separate; however, negative attitudes have been linked to bias and discrimination (Millington, Strohmer, Reid, & Spengler, 1996). In fact, educators who have negative attitudes toward students with disabilities tend to expect low achievement and inappropriate behavior from those students (Beattie, Anderson, & Antonak, 1997). The negative attitudes of school personnel and students toward students with disabilities can manifest themselves in a variety of ways.
Praisner (2003) suggested that the attitudes of school principals "could result either in increased opportunities for students to be served in general education or in limited efforts to reduce the segregated nature of special education services" (p. 136). She found that principals with positive attitudes were more likely than principals with negative attitudes to recommend inclusive educational placements for students with disabilities. In essence, future opportunities for students with disabilities might be hampered by a principal who possesses a negative attitude, particularly if those students are prevented or discouraged from completing regular academic coursework (e.g., algebra) required for admission to a 4-year college.
One might question the effectiveness of a school counselor who possesses a negative attitude toward students with disabilities. If, as suggested by Hannah (1988), teachers who have negative attitudes are often reluctant to teach students with disabilities, it seems likely that school counselors who have negative attitudes would be reluctant to become involved with students with disabilities. Professionals who are uncomfortable with individuals who have disabilities might avoid contact with those individuals or "neglect opportunities for their clients' development" (Beckwith & Matthews, 1994, p. 53). Thus, school counselors who are uncomfortable with students with disabilities might choose to avoid participating in Individualized Educational Program meetings and/or rely on other school personnel to address those students' academic, career, and personal/ social needs. In addition, Bowen and Glenn (1998) suggested that school counselor bias against students with disabilities could result in a school counselor having low expectations for students with disabilities. In this sense, school counselors whose behaviors are consistent with their negative attitudes might discourage students with disabilities from pursuing more rigorous courses of study, potentially limiting their future career options. In fact, Janiga and Costenbader (2002) reported that students with disabilities are most often encouraged to pursue vocational education.
Educators who have negative attitudes toward students with disabilities tend to expect low achievement and inappropriate behavior from those students.
Student behaviors related to negative attitudes toward their peers with disabilities are also important to examine. As discussed previously, students prefer interacting with peers without disabilities (Nowicki & Sandieson, 2002), and related to that finding, Heinrichs (2003) indicated that students with disabilities experience more rejection by peers than do students without disabilities. Bullying directed toward students with disabilities is common, and Heinrichs suggested that the cognitive, behavioral, and/or physical differences of these students make them "easy targets" (p. 196). Bullying can take many forms, and rejection can have long lasting effects (Beale & Scott, 2001).
Student outcomes related to negative attitudes and behaviors
Individuals with disabilities often internalize negative attitudes (Brillhart, Jay, & Wyers, 1990). Moreover, the negative attitudes and actions of others can negatively affect the behavior, social relationships, education, employment, and health of individuals with disabilities (Yuker, 1994) because their self-perceptions are greatly influenced by the attitudes and expectations of others (Oermann & Lindgren, 1995). For example, if educators have low expectations in terms of academic achievement and appropriate behavior from students with disabilities (Beattie et al., 1997), then those students may be more likely to behave as expected. That is, they might exhibit inappropriate behavior and put little effort into schoolwork.
Medina and Luna (2004) explored the experiences of Mexican-American students enrolled in special education and reported negative educational and personal/social outcomes. The students reported feeling disrespected by teachers, indicated that teachers did not notice derogatory comments directed at them by their peers without disabilities, and reported that they did not believe that their teachers cared about them. They also reported feeling "alienation, disinterest, and anxiety regarding their classrooms, teachers, and classmates" (Medina & Luna, p. 15). Similarly, Rodis, Garrod, and Boscardin (2001) reported that students with disabilities often felt misunderstood by both teachers and peers.
For all students, negative attitudes and behaviors exhibited by peers can have long lasting effects.
For all students, negative attitudes and behaviors exhibited by peers can have long-lasting effects. Bullying and relational aggression have been addressed in recent professional literature, and the avoidance or rejection of students with disabilities by their peers as well as potential physical or verbal aggression directed toward them should be viewed as bullying and addressed as such. Numerous negative outcomes have been associated with bullying (see Seals & Young, 2003), and common outcomes include academic problems, absenteeism, loneliness, and loss of friends (Roberts & Coursol, 1996).
Understanding attitudes
Negative attitudes and behaviors of students toward their peers with disabilities may occur for many reasons, but empirical research has not identified any specific causes. Nevertheless, assessing student attitudes is important prior to implementing any school-based intervention. Salend (1994) identified a number of methods for assessing the attitudes of regular education students toward students with disabilities, including sociograms, direct observation, and formal attitude assessments.
Although research identifying reasons for negative student attitudes is scarce, a number of explanations for negativity from educators toward students with disabilities have been proposed. Research cited previously (i.e., Praisner, 2003) suggests that one reason school personnel might possess negative attitudes toward students with disabilities is that they did not receive adequate training regarding those individuals and therefore feel unprepared to provide services to students with disabilities effectively. This theme has consistently emerged in literature related to both school counselors and teachers. School counselors surveyed by Milsom (2002) reported completing minimal formal training related to students with disabilities prior to being employed as school counselors and indicated they felt somewhat prepared to provide services to students with disabilities. Additionally, Forlin (2001) reported that teachers felt stressed when working with students with disabilities because they did not possess knowledge or feel competent. Finally, Pavri (2004) found that both special education and regular education teachers received little to no pre-service training related to effective inclusion for students with disabilities. In fact, special education teachers reported receiving less training in this area than did regular education teachers.
In addition to not feeling prepared, school personnel also face demands placed on them by superiors. Disability legislation (e.g., Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and current educational reforms, including No Child Left Behind, create systems in which school personnel are held accountable for student outcomes. Forlin (2001) found that teachers reported high levels of stress when they felt they personally would be held accountable for the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. The teachers also worried that spending more time addressing the needs of students with disabilities would result in their having less time to focus on students without disabilities. "The highest levels of stress appear to come from a teacher's personal commitment to maintaining effective teaching for all students in their classes" (Forlin, p. 242).
Thus, understandably, negative attitudes seem to characterize educators who care about students and about being effective but who may have little control over or support for their work. Stress and frustration seem to be natural outcomes, in such situations. It seems likely that the majority of teachers would be more positive if they had more knowledge about students with disabilities and effective strategies for working with those students.
Interventions to improve attitudes
As advocates for students with disabilities, school counselors are positioned to take the lead in their buildings to ensure that these students have positive school experiences, develop skills for future academic and career success, develop social skills, and enjoy emotional health. A number of programs could be initiated in an effort to address the training needs of school personnel and to facilitate positive interactions among all students. Self-awareness is important, however, and school counselors can benefit from taking time to honestly assess their own beliefs about and attitudes toward students with disabilities prior to accepting or volunteering to work on school-based interventions. School counselors who possess negative attitudes might consider participating in professional development activities (see Milsom, 2002) to address their own biases. Because school counselors are responsible for meeting the needs of all students, comfort with and positive attitudes toward working with students with disabilities can be viewed as important qualities of a professional, ethical, and multiculturally competent school counselor.
Targeting School Personnel
Given the limited amount of training related to students with disabilities completed by many school personnel, and given the research suggesting that more positive attitudes are associated with greater amounts of pertinent pre-service education, in-service or other professional development activities can be viewed as a critical intervention related to creating positive school experiences for students with disabilities. Praisner (2003) advocated in-service training related to students with disabilities in general, and Pace (2003) found professional development seminars effective in increasing awareness about students with disabilities among regular education student teacher supervisors. However, other researchers have recommended identifying one specific content area (e.g., behavioral interventions for students with disabilities) as important for teacher professional development.
Numerous researchers (Lieberman, James, & Ludwa, 2004; Pavri, 2004; Schepis, Reid, Owenbey, & Clary, 2003) have recommended that school staff be trained to help promote cooperative relationships between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. They suggested that successful interactions between these students often do not occur naturally, and teachers must be able to facilitate interactions effectively if they want students with disabilities to engage socially with their peers. Additionally, Salend (1994) indicated that successful inclusion for students with disabilities into regular education classrooms (i.e., students succeeding academically and socially) requires cooperative interactions between students with disabilities and students without disabilities.
Pavri (2004) found that both general and special education teachers needed ideas for initiating and supporting cooperative social interactions between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Additionally, through their research Schepis et al. (2003) found that preschool teachers who completed a professional development training designed to give them strategies for helping students interact were able to increase the interpersonal interaction between students with disabilities and those without disabilities. Over time the student interactions increased both when the teachers were present and when they were not, suggesting that teachers can learn to facilitate cooperative relationships among these students and that students can learn how to interact if they are provided with opportunities and/or encouragement.
Professional development activities also can be designed to help teachers in the classroom. Vaughan (2002) and Corbett (2001) suggested that schools can better address the needs of all learners if teachers learn to modify classroom lessons in ways that will benefit the range of learning styles present in any classroom. Students with disabilities are not the only students who can benefit from creative methods of instruction and assessment, and perhaps helping teachers reframe the way they approach teaching in general will result in less frustration related to having to accommodate students with disabilities. School principals can model or co-teach in an effort to train teachers in new techniques (Doyle, 2002).
It seems likely that the majority of teachers would be more positive if they had more knowledge about students with disabilities and effective strategies for working with those students.
How can school counselors, who also might have limited knowledge of this type of content, take any sort of leadership role in the process? First, they might bring to the attention of administrators the need for training and support in this content area and advocate that in-service time be devoted to addressing effective practices for working with students with disabilities. School counselors then might serve as coordinators and collaborators, identifying individuals who can provide this type of training. School counselors with limited knowledge about students with disabilities also will likely learn a lot in the process.
Intervening with Students
Teachers are being encouraged to help students develop cooperative relationships, and research examining student attitudes toward their peers with disabilities has suggested that contact with students with disabilities might lead to positive attitudes. In fact, Lieberman et al. (2004) noted that positive contact with students with disabilities is the only effective way to help students gain an understanding of and knowledge about students with disabilities. Therefore, student interaction seems an important goal, and structured activities have been recommended with regard to helping students develop skills to successfully interact with each other. A number of specific suggestions have been provided in the literature.
Salisbury, Gallucci, Palombaro, and Peck (1995) provided recommendations for promoting social interactions between students with and without disabilities. Included in their list were cooperative learning groups, which they indicated could provide both social and academic benefits to students with disabilities. Additionally, they suggested that teachers engage students in collaborative problem-solving (e.g., through regular classroom meetings) in order to provide students a voice for concerns related to students with disabilities and to help them develop understanding or empathy. More specifically, students who must generate possible reasons for a student with a disability behaving in a particular way might develop a greater understanding of and empathy for that student. Peer tutors also were suggested as a way both to assist students with disabilities academically and to promote positive interactions between students. Finally, Salisbury et al. recommended modeling from teachers as an effective way to teach students how to interact. Through watching a teacher interact with a student with a disability, other students not only will learn how to interact with that student (e.g., perhaps it is important to interact with a student who has a right-eye visual impairment by remaining visible to the student's left eye), but also will see that the student is similar to them in many other ways.
Research examining student attitudes toward their peers with disabilities has suggested that contact with students with disabilities might lead to positive attitudes.
In addition to being able to interact cooperatively with each other, students benefit from gaining an appreciation for diversity in general. Heinrichs (2003) suggested that schools can help students develop tolerance and respect for differences by teaching empathy and anger-management skills and promoting respect for others via the general curriculum. The variety of character education programs available can be used as a foundation from which discussions and activities specific to students with disabilities can be incorporated.
School counselors can promote similar agendas (i.e., diversity and cooperation) via direct service activities with students. Both small group and classroom guidance activities can be designed to promote respect for differences and interaction among students with and without disabilities. Additionally, school counselors could serve as coordinators of peer tutoring programs and collaborate with teachers in the implementation of classroom-based activities.
School-Wide Considerations
Successful implementation of any type of programming depends on support from administrators and cooperative efforts from school personnel. Vaughan (2002) recommended that schools make time to assess their cultures (i.e., attitudes and beliefs about students with disabilities) as well as existing policies and procedures. Negative messages can unintentionally be communicated to students via language or procedures. For example, schools that single out students with disabilities as different (e.g., issuing special diplomas for students in special education), rather than acknowledge that all students learn differently, might unintentionally communicate to those students that they are less worthy than other students. Students are savvy to the beliefs of school personnel, even when those beliefs are not verbalized. Educators should "show high levels of personal commitment, hope, and optimism" (Attfield & Williams, 2003, p. 32) so that students do not limit their aspirations. For example, by inviting and encouraging all students to participate in college fairs or register for college admissions exams, school personnel communicate their belief that all students have a right to pursue post-secondary education.
In another effort to prevent students with disabilities from being singled out, school personnel might examine their enforcement of school rules. All students should be expected to adhere to school rules, and disciplinary actions should be equitable (Salisbury et al., 1995). Bullying and teasing will likely ensue when some students are held to different standards than others. Similarly, high expectations for all students with regard to both behavior and academics (Corbett, 2001; Salisbury et al.) will help students with disabilities reach their potential and help other students develop an understanding that students with disabilities do not need special treatment in every area of their life.
Finally, schoolwide initiatives to promote and celebrate diversity have been encouraged (Kugelmass, 2001). For example, student projects, school activities, and artwork on the walls can be highlighted. McDougall et al. (2004) recommended the implementation of school-based programs that emphasize success for all students rather than competition as well as programs that focus on respect and cooperation.
Conclusion
School counselors can draw from their training and conduct needs assessments to identify potential systematic, programmatic, and attitudinal areas for change in order to create positive environments for students with disabilities. In collaboration with other school personnel they can help to establish school policies that communicate respect, high expectations, and interest in equitable outcomes for all students. They also can bring to the attention of administrators the importance of ongoing professional development for school personnel in relation to working with students with disabilities. Whether it be through direct services offered to students or in collaboration with teachers, school counselors can help students develop appreciation for students with disabilities and related skills for successfully interacting with them. Finally, by communicating high expectations and providing support, school counselors can help students with disabilities understand that their disabilities should not be reasons to limit their aspirations.
References
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Comments
As a future school counselor, I really valued all of the information that was presented in this reading because I believe it touched on realistic issues present in today's education system that affect youth with disabilities. As school counselors, we are one of the many stakeholders within a school that works to provide a safe, inviting and diverse environment where all students are able to learn. From my experiences, the treatment of youth with disabilities, whether it be by their peers or by school staff, differs from school to school.I think to create a healthy environment in a school it is important to make sure all students, whether they have IEPs or not, are able to interact and learn in the same arena and are not segregated. I have witnessed schools in the past who have divided up their population more regularly and I think it creates a very divisive atmosphere and allows for increases in bullying and decreases in student outcomes for both students with and without disabilities. I think some school staff believe that they don't have enough training with Special Education students and I think it's important for schools to offer continuous professional development opportunities to help educate those staff members. A school counselor who I recently spoke to mentioned that one thing she has noticed is the increase in IEP students and her school and an increase in the severity of disabilities that students are presenting. I think it's important for schools to match those increase with increases in support to help develop their staff. One idea that I had never thought of was the peer tutoring idea. I would have concerns about if the student with a disability would feel uncomfortable being tutored by a peer and if that would increase the chances of them feeling inferior, but I think that it could also greatly benefit that student and could help the student doing the tutoring in how to respectfully interact with their classmates who may have a disability. I do have concerns about the implementation of a peer program like that but I think there are enough benefits that, with the support of my administration, I would be interested in at least piloting it on a small scale first to see if it was able to accommodate our students and fulfill the purposes of the program. I am currently apart of an after school mentoring program and in that program, there are both students with disabilities and without and I am consistently amazed and how the two groups interact with ease. I think more programs like that that blend both groups result in better outcomes for students both socially and academically. Creating programs like this is just one way that we, as school counselors, can change the educational climate and the world!
Cooperation and inclusion are important parts of school for children. They want to feel accepted and be able to make friends. Like the article stated earlier, there is a portion of students who have negative attitudes towards those with disabilities. If these students were to become a part of group counseling, they could understand what the other students are going through. “Group counseling can address positive social skills with peers who have similar abilities and interests (Peterson, 2003). Because friendships are based on cognitive similarities, age differences frequently are present in friendships among these children and adolescents.” (Vernon, 2009, 242). Group counseling allows those with and without disabilities to talk and understand one another. The content is confidential and it allows students to feel more comfortable with each other in a neutral environment with a mediator. This also allows the children to work on their social skills with each other and build upon that. I worked as a paraprofessional with special needs students and noticed that after my kids would come out of their group meeting, they would be much more social and confident in their language. It was amazing what 30 minutes could do for these children and how self-assured they would be after the meeting.
I believe that school counselors play an important role in schools, especially with subjects like this one. They and are very much needed to take the lead and partner with teachers and the community to help assure that all children get a good quality education, including those with handicaps, or any other challenges. There is good information in this article that I can keep in mind and use as a teacher.
All children are entitled to getting good quality education, despite their handicaps, gifts, or challenges. It is up to us, educators to promote a climate of acceptance, warmth, and empathy. As this is what good teachers do. WE set the standards for social change, we set the environment to include all children show has the right to learn, achieve and aspire to be what they want to be.
I felt this article raised several important concepts around understanding the needs of students with disabilities and ways in which school counselors can make a difference in ensureing their experience is positive. According to the article, "For all students, negative attitudes and behaviors exhibited by peers can have long-lasting effects. Bullying and relational aggression have been addressed...and the avoidance or rejection of students with disabilities by their peers as well as potential physical or verbal aggression directed toward them should be viewed as bullying and addressed as such." From the article, it is clear that the best way we, as school personnel, can help improve a student's experience is to participate in professional training for ourselves to ensure we are educated and properly trained with fair and positive attitudes toward the students we are working with. And, as the article mentions, it is important for school counselors to "establish school policies that communicate respect, high expectations, and interest in equitable outcomes for all students." I appreciate the notion of creating high expectations and interest in equitable outcomes for ALL students. I look forward to advocating for this in my role as a school counselor.
Other student-focused strategies that I found interesting were use of cooperative-learning groups, collaborative problem solving, and peer tutoring. I can see how partnering students with disabilities together with students who do not have disabilities would improve overall attitudes of students and help minimize some of the negative experiences a student might have. As a counselor, I hope to be able to work with teachers and administrators to ensure staff is properly trained and that some of these interventions be implemented in the school.
As a school counselor in training, I found this post about the responsibility of school counselors to be advocates for students with disabilities to be very powerful and empowering. I have a younger sister with disabilities, so this article resonated with me not only from a professional perspective but a personal one as well. I appreciated the way in which this post outlined ways for school counselors to be advocates for this student population through promoting faculty and staff training with this group, as well as encouraging integration between regular education students and students with disabilities. In fact, as school counselors it is our ethical obligation to be advocates for students with disabilities. According to the American School Counseling Association (2010) position statement on the role of professional school counselors when working with students with disabilities, “Professional school counselors are committed to helping all students realize their potential and meet or exceed academic standards regardless of challenges resulting from disabilities and other special needs” (http://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_Dis...). Furthermore, it is our job as school counselors to be advocates for all of our students especially those that need us most. I look forward to getting more involved with advocating for this population as a future school counselor through creating a positive attitude towards disabilities in the school environment. My sister with disabilities attended Glenbrook High School in Glenview, IL, and the school has an exceptionally accepting attitude towards those students with disabilities. In fact, the mentor program where they pair regular education students with students with disabilities has a competitive application process because so many students want to be involved. Wherever I work as a school counselor, my goal will be to establish an inclusive environment much like Glenbrook South High School. I strongly believe this diversity is extremely beneficial for all students, faculty and staff.
you guys please try to be brief,but anyway it is helpful it is a good one
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It is very discouraging to read in the article that negative attitudes towards individuals with special needs is still the prevailing sentiment in schools and society. The belief that someone is intrinsically inferior due to a disability is very damaging for individuals with special needs because these biases may become apparent in educational practices and treatment by the larger society, placing the individual at a greater disadvantage. As the article points out attitudes often impact behaviors and a negative attitude toward individuals with disabilities (especially ones with emotional and/or behavior needs) may lead to bias and discrimination. These attitudes can also be noticed by the student and negatively impact his or her self- esteem and feelings of self- efficacy. This can have long lasting effects, as the article points out. I can see how this would impact not only educational success but social success and could lead to further isolation and in extreme cases lead to suicide or substance abuse issues.
It is necessary for professionals to reflect on any biases they may have and address these before working with individuals with special needs. A professional must believe that the student can be successful regardless of disability in order for the student to truly believe in his or her own ability to achieve. Being a leader and advocate in the school setting with other professionals is only the first step. It is also necessary to be inclusive and encourage peer students with and without disabilities to treat the student with special needs with respect, dignity, and like an equal including him or her in peer events. The article mentions utilizing peer tutors which is great, I would also encourage using students without disabilities as peer mentors is one way to encourage positive interactions between peers with and without special needs and help teach students without disabilities about their peers with disabilities. A mentor can help with more than the academic side of being a student but be a social integration tool and partner in peer advocacy.