Inclusion

Inclusion

AEEC practices inclusion. We are very proud of the fact that, as much as possible, children with disabilities are educated in their regular education classrooms, alongside their regular education friends.

Targeted Outcomes of Inclusion:

· Learning to be part of a group, participating and contributing

· Learning “how the world works”; social rules, natural cues, and consequences

· Learning how to relate to others and be a friend.

Learning to let others know what one thinks, needs, or feels in an effective and acceptable way

· Understanding how others think and feel

· Learning coping and problem-solving skills

Academics:

Learning to be productive

Learning behaviors of self-initiation, self-responsibility, and interdependency

Making gains in cognitive development

Supporting the student with special needs: Recognize competency regardless of “functioning level”.

Natural Interactions:

· Keep support as a facilitation of the student’s interactions and try to avoid speaking or acting for the student.

· Use personal interactions with others in the setting as a bridge to naturally include the student.

· Look for opportunities to establish what the student has in common with his or her peers.

· Facilitate interaction with peers by interpreting the student’s communicative attempts or nonverbal behavior in a manner that includes the student.

· Facilitate opportunities for the student to assist another person.

· Help others realize that the student has definite preferences or feelings that should be considered.

· Redirect patronizing or overly helpful interactions.

· Help others to recognize the student’s ability to make choices and negotiate, through verbal and nonverbal means.

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