Parent and Teacher Perspectives on Friendships and Social Interactions of Secondary Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Inclusion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Rossetti ◽  
Donna Lehr ◽  
Shuoxi Huang ◽  
Jessica Ghai ◽  
Nancy Harayama

AbstractFriendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remain infrequent, especially at the secondary level. However, when friendships between students with and without IDD have developed, direct support from parents and teachers has been a critical facilitator. Thus, this qualitative study examined parent (n = 10) and teacher (n = 20) perspectives on friendships and social interactions of middle and high school students with IDD receiving special education services in inclusive settings at least part of the day. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with each participant and analyzed inductively using a multistage process of open and then thematic coding. The thematic findings suggest that the challenge of friendship development between students with and without IDD is ongoing, though there may be potential in focusing more explicitly and intentionally on increasing social interaction opportunities both in and out of school. Implications for future research and practice are described in the context of supporting students with and without IDD to increase social interactions and develop friendships.

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony M. Rodriguez

Abstract Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are routinely excluded from algebra and other high-level mathematics courses. High school students with IDD take courses in arithmetic and life skills rather than having an opportunity to learn algebra. Yet algebra skills can support the learning of money and budgeting skills. This study explores the feasibility of algebra instruction for adults with IDD through an experimental curriculum. Ten individuals with IDD participated in a 6-week course framing mathematics concepts within the context of everyday challenges in handling money. The article explores classroom techniques, discusses student strategies, and proposes possible avenues for future research analyzing mathematics instructional design strategies for individuals with IDD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Ching Chung ◽  
Karen H. Douglas ◽  
Virginia L. Walker ◽  
Rachel L. Wells

Abstract As inclusive opportunities increase for students with disabilities, additional research is needed to examine high school students' classroom interactions. This descriptive study explores the nature of the social interactions of 10 high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the general education classroom. Findings from our observations indicated that students with IDD interacted with peers during approximately one out of every four minutes and interacted with the general educator during one out of every 10 minutes, less than their peer comparisons' interactions with peers and teachers. Students with IDD were present (M = 89.9%) and in proximity to peers (M = 71.7%) during the majority of the class period. We discuss additional results along with practical implications, limitations, and future research directions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-287
Author(s):  
Lindsay S. Athamanah ◽  
Marisa H. Fisher ◽  
Connie Sung ◽  
Jinny E. Han

Peer mentoring programs provide an opportunity for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to learn, socialize, and work together in supportive and inclusive environments. In this study, we used a phenomenological research design to explore the impact of a college campus-based peer mentoring program on the experiences and perceptions of participating college peer mentors ( n = 13) toward high school students with IDD who were enrolled in a school-to-work transition program housed on campus. Using thematic analysis across four different data sources, we identified three main themes that peer mentors discussed based on their experiences in the program: (a) mentors’ personal development: constructing meaning of self, (b) mentee growth: perceived work and social impact, and (c) campus community benefits: normalizing disability. Peer mentors reported their own attitudes toward individuals with IDD were changed based on participating in the peer mentoring program and they observed improvements in their mentees’ personal and work-related social relationships. We discuss how these outcomes have impacted the peer mentors’ attitudes, career choices, and lives in general. We also provide implications for future research and practice regarding development and implementation of peer mentoring programs in the community.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Kuntz ◽  
Erik W. Carter

Instruction and support for students with intellectual disability in general education classes should be informed by research-based interventions. In this systematic review, we examined the focus and impact of interventions delivered in inclusive classes to support middle and high school students with intellectual disability. We identified 40 intervention studies involving 177 secondary students with intellectual disability attending a range of core academic and elective classes. These multicomponent interventions fell within five primary categories: systematic instruction, peer support arrangements, self-management strategies, peer-mediated communication interventions, and educational placement changes. Although the overall focus was fairly balanced across academic, social, and behavioral outcomes, each intervention approach prioritized somewhat different dependent measures. Moreover, although the impact of the interventions on most outcomes was positive, the methodological quality of these studies was somewhat varied. We offer recommendations for future research and practice aimed at strengthening the availability and implementation of effective interventions within inclusive secondary school classes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 442-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny R. Root ◽  
Sarah K. Cox ◽  
Nannette Hammons ◽  
Alicia F. Saunders ◽  
Deidre Gilley

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent mathematics intervention (modified schema-based instruction, video anchors, and goal setting with self-graphing) on mathematical problem-solving skills of secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Three participants were taught to solve percent of change word problems, which involved calculating the discounted price of an item or activity after using a coupon and then determining whether they had enough money to make the purchase. Results of the multiple probe across participant design indicate a functional relation between the intervention and problem solving, and all participants were able to generalize skills from word problems to real-world stimuli (i.e., coupons, receipts, menus). Implications for practice and future research are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly B. Gilson ◽  
Erik W. Carter ◽  
Elizabeth E. Biggs

Effective vocational instruction is an essential aspect of preparing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for the world of work. We systematically reviewed research on instructional methods used to teach employment skills to secondary students with IDD. We identified 56 studies involving 766 participants with IDD. Four intervention approaches emphasized technology or some other instructional stimulus (i.e., self-management devices, video-based, audio-based, picture and tactile-based) and four focused on live instructors (i.e., direct instruction, augmentative and alternative communication, simulation, peer-delivered). Among the 21 instructional methods used within these approaches, performance feedback, device-assisted instruction, response prompting, and community-based instruction were the most common. We address the extent to which these intervention approaches were effective across students, instructional methods, settings, and outcomes, as well as offer recommendations for future research and practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X1881127
Author(s):  
Richard W. Auger ◽  
Nicholas R. Abel ◽  
Brandie M. Oliver

Student attitudes toward accessing school counseling services were the focus of a survey of 3,584 middle school and high school students. Respondents identified barriers to seeking help from school counselors, including stigma, a desire to manage problems themselves, a lack of a positive relationship with their school counselor, and a concern that the counselor would not keep disclosures confidential. This study also examined the impact of gender, age, and race/ethnicity on students’ willingness to seek help from their school counselor. We present implications for practice and future research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don D. McMahon ◽  
Brenda Barrio ◽  
Amanda K. McMahon ◽  
Kristen Tutt ◽  
Jonah Firestone

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at greater risk of health-related issues due to obesity and lack of physical activity. This study examined using virtual reality (VR) exergaming to increase the physical activity of high school students with IDD. Four students participated in this multiple probe across participants design. Data were collected on each student’s total amount of time engaged in exercise and heart rate. Results indicate that all students increased the duration and intensity of their physical activity when using the VR exercise gaming (exergaming) intervention. The VR exergaming intervention increased the duration and intensity of the students’ exercise sessions. Results are discussed in terms of applying VR and other emerging technologies to support the exercise health needs of the individual in the study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 459-471
Author(s):  
Kristina Rios ◽  
Janeth Aleman-Tovar ◽  
Meghan Burke

Abstract Advocacy is often an expectation for parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, little is known about how advocacy may impact parent well-being, including stress, family dynamics, and marital relationships. By exploring the effects of advocacy on well-being, interventions can be implemented to support both the advocacy and well-being of parents of children with IDD. To this end, the purpose of the study was to explore the pattern between positive and negative advocacy experiences of parents of children with IDD and the well-being of parents, families, and marriages. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 parents of children with IDD. Regardless of the nature (i.e., positive, or negative) of the advocacy experience, participants reported that advocacy increased their stress. When the advocacy experience was positive, some participants reported improved family quality of life. Also, regardless of the nature of the advocacy experience, some participants reported feeling frustration within their marital relationships. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.


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