How inclusion affects our youth

Inclusion and the Other Kids

By
Debbie Staub

Nationwide, 50 percent of disabled students aged 6-11 are in regular classrooms. The same holds true for 30 percent of disabled students aged 12-11. Overall, inclusion is up 10 percent over the past five years. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Here’s what research shows so far about inclusion’s effect on nondisabled students.

Inclusion is receiving lots of attention, both in school districts across the country and in the popular media. Most of that attention is focused on how inclusion affects the students with disabilities. But what about the students who don’t have disabilities?

As a project coordinator for the Inclusive Education Research Group at Emily Dickinson School in Redmond, Washington, I’ve been in contact with hundreds of teachers, parents, and students affected by inclusion, and I’ve done extensive research on the subject. Of course, each inclusion situation is unique: Some teachers receive more training than others, some schools provide classroom aides and others don’t, some classrooms have one disabled student while others have several, and so forth. Regardless of the circumstances, though, I’ve found that teachers and parents usually want to know what the research says about these two main concerns:

Will the nondisabled students’ learning suffer because of inclusion? Only a few studies have addressed this question. So far, these studies have shown no slowdown in nondisabled children’s learning in inclusive classrooms. Surveys conducted with parents and teachers involved in inclusive settings generally show that they see no harm to the nondisabled children and that they have positive opinions about inclusion. In fact, one survey of more than 300 parents of elementary-age children shows that 89 percent would enroll their children in an inclusive classroom again.
Will nondisabled children receive less attention and time from their teacher? Only one study has directly investigated this issue. In that study, researchers randomly chose six nondisabled students in classrooms that had at least one student with severe disabilities (all of the classrooms had support from paraprofessionals). Then they chose a comparison group of nondisabled students in noninclusive classrooms. The researchers compared the amounts of instructional time and found that the presence of students with severe disabilities had no effect. And time lost to interruptions wasn’t significantly different, either.

The glass is half full

So in a nutshell, the research conducted thus far shows that being in an inclusive classroom doesn’t hurt the nondisabled students. But does it help them? Teachers surveyed indicate that nondisabled students gain these important benefits from relationships with their disabled classmates:

Friendships. One of the most important functions of friendship is to make people feel loved, safe, and cared for. Researchers have documented cases in which meaningfial, long-lasting friendships that benefit both students have emerged between disabled and non-disabled students. For example, one study chronicles the friendship that Stacy, a non-disabled 12-year-old, and Cary, a 13-year-old with Down’s syndrome, have had for more than four years. A teaching assistant explains how she sees Stacy benefit from this relationship: “Stacy sees the growth Cary is making, and she is a big part of that success. She also benefits because Cary makes her feel good-always choosing to sit with her, always goofing around with her.” Social skills. Non-disabled children become more aware of the needs of others, and they become skilled at understanding and reacting to the behaviors of their friends with disabilities.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oTvdeaeCgY&w=560&h=315][youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWhkWlEZxco&w=560&h=315]

Self-esteem. One study documents the friendship between Aaron, a non-disabled sixth grader, and Cole, a classmate with severe disabilities. Aaron’s ability to understand Cole’s behavior has helped him take on a leadership role that he wasn’t able to assume in the past, resulting in an increase in Aaron’s self-esteem. “This has given Aaron a special place in the classroom, and he feels really good about himself,” his teacher says.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-3jDias7Ps&w=420&h=315]

Personal principles. Non-disabled students grow in their commitment to their own moral and ethical principles and become advocates for their disabled friends. For example, Cary’s classmates became very vocal about making sure that she wasn’t pulled out of the class unnecessarily. Developing these strong personal principles will benefit students throughout adulthood.

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D1OZWpfdVU&w=560&h=315]

Comfort level with people who are different. On surveys and in interviews, non-disabled junior-high and high-school students say they’re less fearful of people who look different or behave differently because they’ve interacted with individuals with disabilities. One seventh grader says, “Now I’m not like, ‘Uh, she’s weird.’ She’s normal! I’ve gotten to work with people with disabilities, so I know that.” Parents notice the difference in their children, too. An interesting side effect is that these parents report that they feel more comfortable with people with disabilities because of their children’s experiences.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEh1sRnlzaM&w=420&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdeuivQYnas&w=560&h=315]

Patience. Non-disabled students who’ve developed relationships with disabled classmates report that they have increased patience with “slower” learners.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTZd1TRNM10&w=560&h=315]

5 Good Reasons

Clinton Unveils Plan To Increase Autism Services

Well the Iowa Caucuses have come and gone, with Clinton in a slight lead for the Democrats. One of the reasons may be due to what I read in Disability Scoop that presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton wants to expand autism insurance coverage and job opportunities for those on the spectrum while reducing the use of restraint and seclusion.

And so far she is the only candidate who has put out a detailed plan and with a dramatically changed view of autism since 2008. It will be interesting to see if any other presidential candidates will follow suit.

The steps are part of a broad plan to address the needs of the nation’s growing number of children and adults with autism that the Democratic presidential candidate unveiled while campaigning in Iowa.

“Too many American families are staying up at night worrying about their family members, especially children, who are living with autism. There is more we can do,” Clinton said in a statement.

The wide-ranging agenda calls for a nationwide screening effort to ensure that all children with the developmental disorder – including girls and those from minority backgrounds – are identified early. Clinton said she would push states to widen insurance coverage mandates to ensure that behavioral and developmental services are available to individuals of all ages.

The former senator said she wants to see legislation known as the Keeping All Students Safe Act that would limit the use of restraint and seclusion in schools enacted. And, Clinton said she would “toughen” the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance on bullying to further protect students with autism from being victimized in the classroom.

Clinton’s plan calls for the creation of a new Autism Works Initiative that would offer resources and engage public-private partnerships to “ensure a post-graduation transition plan for every student with autism” and expand employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Clinton said she would instruct the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct the first-ever nationwide autism prevalence study on adults.

Avocacy

People experiencing disabilities are everywhere, included in the fabric of social life and public engagement, as a result of the A.D.A. However, these very same people often go unheard, unseen, ignored, and at worst, abused.

The inception of the A.D.A. was just to get the door opened; now it’s time for fuller inclusion. To make bank on the full promise of the A.D.A, people with disabilities must make themselves visible, make themselves heard. They must teach others about disability culture, justice and equality. It’s time to work together to make disability inclusion seen as a resource gain, not a resource drain.

Providing accommodations mandated by the A.D.A. can be; difficult at times, sometimes expensive, and perhaps even challenging for the non-disabled to understand. But here’s a thought; all of us will be disabled at some point, either by injury, age or illness. Disability is not a problem to fix, but a part of the human experience. And altering our mind set now, allowing for accommodations, creative thinking and inclusion, that allow disabled people to flourish, and fully participate in the privileges and obligations of citizenship, benefit us all in the long run.

Meet some people who experience a disability and are a stand for inclusion, diversity and equality for all and who are doing their part to make a difference for us all by advocating.

Swimming and working for a cause, swimmer Karen Gaffney was on a relay team that swam the English Channel in 2001. She has won two gold medals in Special Olympics.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon, and earned a two-year Associate of Science degree from Portland Community College. Karen has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Portland on May 5th, 2013, for her work in raising awareness regarding the abilities of people who have Down syndrome. She is a fearless open-water swimmer having successfully swam the English Channel, escaped Alcatraz (16 times) and conquered Lake Tahoe in 59-degree water.

According to experts, most kids who start to get help when they’re very young can achieve almost any goal. They can run, jump, bike, swim or dance. They can do well in school and graduate from high school and college. Adults with Down syndrome hold jobs, live on their own, and have romantic and friendly relationships.

Karen is the founder of the Karen Gaffney Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, which focuses on the potential of people with Down syndrome. Watch her presentation at a Portland, OR Ted Talk.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwxjoBQdn0s&w=560&h=315]

Born without limbs for no medical reason, Nick Vujicic knew from an early age that he was different.

But it wasn’t until much later, after overcoming ignorance and discrimination to build what he calls a “ridiculously good” life, that he realized his mission: to use his “disability” to start conversations that change lives.

He has since spoken over 3,000 times in a total of more than 57 countries on topics as varied as bullying, inspiring positive change, persistence and determination, and his own life story.

No matter where he goes he communicates one core message— that no matter your circumstance, you can overcome!
Nick is the author of several books, including Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life, Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action, Love Without Limits: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All and Stand Strong: You Can Overcome Bullying (and Other Stuff That Keeps You Down).

Watch his motivational Minute Introduction on Attitude is Altitude.

An expert on animal behavior, Temple Grandin has designed humane handling systems for half the cattle-processing facilities in the US, and consults with the meat industry to develop animal welfare guidelines. As PETA wrote when awarding her a 2004 Proggy: “Dr. Grandin’s improvements to animal-handling systems found in slaughterhouses have decreased the amount of fear and pain that animals experience in their final hours, and she is widely considered the world’s leading expert on the welfare of cattle and pigs.” In 2010, Time Magazine listed her as one of its most Important People of the Year.

Grandin’s books about her interior life as an autistic person have increased the world’s understanding of the condition with personal immediacy — and with import, as rates of autism diagnosis rise. She is revered by animal rights groups and members of autistic community, perhaps because in both regards she is a voice for those who are sometimes challenged to make themselves heard.

Find out more about Temple, her speaking schedule and autism or ask her a question on her website; Temple Grandin, Ph.D. or find out about Dr. Grandin’s research into livestock behavior, design of facilities and humane slaughter at; Dr. Temple Grandin’s Web Page.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwnlWX4iyj4&w=560&h=315]

The ‘Dancing Barista’

In a Huffington Post article, Carly Fleischmann’s Facebook post is referred to in reference to a video gone viral that she uploaded.

Meet Carly in the blog post – ‘Inspiring Individuals’

Carly Fleischmann

Public Figure · 185,311 Likes

· January 22 at 2:00pm ·

My birthday is in four days and my birthday wish this year is to have this video go viral. I would like to introduce you to a young teenager named Sam.

When he was offered a position to work at Starbucks Sam told his parents that for the first time in his life. That his life had real meaning. Sam was diagnosed with autism and like some people with autism Sam has a movement disorder. Sam has a hard time keeping his body still. Sam never thought that he would be able to work behind the bar because of his sudden movements but his manager Chris believed in him and got Sam to channel his movements into dance.

It has taken Sam and Chris a lot of shifts and hours to get Sam to do what he is doing in the video. Sam is now known as the dancing barista. If it wasn’t for Chris believing in Sam he would of never believed in himself.
More people like Sam need to be seen, heard and given a chance to thrive and dance. Please show your support by sharing and reposting. Help make my birthday wish come true!

______________________________________________________

Sam, the young man in the video, was an attendant at Starbucks, cleaning tables and handing out samples, but didn’t think that he would ever be able to work behind the counter because of the sudden movements he sometimes makes.

But the manager at Starbucks believed he could and gave Sam a chance. All it took was some imaginative out-side-the-box thinking and the willingness to try something new.

Chris Ali, the Starbucks manager realized that Sam had an ability for dancing and used that in a creative way to help give his movements some direction and purpose.

Ali said that the dancing has also helped boost Sam’s self-confidence.

As a result, of Fleischmann’s video post, Sam has become known as the ‘dancing barista’, and the manager says that customers love the dancing and that many visit the store just to see his dance moves.

‘There’s a significant lack of opportunity provided to people with autism when it comes to work. Employers don’t understand what accommodations need to be made.’ ~Scott Badesch, Autism Society

But, over all “we still see people with disabilities being hired for jobs much under their skill level,” Badesch said.

One reason may be an issue on the front end. In a job interview, candidates are expected to be outgoing, to look the interviewer in the eye and adapt immediately to unfamiliar spaces — all things that people with autism can find challenging.

Modifications to alleviate those factors, like lowering harsh lights in a room, are easy to make, but are something an employer “may not realize … may not have anything to do with a person’s job,” Badesch said.

So what does Badesch see when he watches the video that has been viewed more than 51 million times? “It shows a guy wanting to work and wanting to make the job enjoyable,” he said. “And a company that’s willing to let him do it.”

So want do you see when you watch this video? Here it is:

The Dancing Barista

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDKrwoL36g&w=420&h=315]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dancing-barista-autism-starbucks_us_56a84c74e4b0f71799286b69

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-the-viral-dancing-barista-video-doesnt-tell-you-about-jobs-for-the-autistic-2016-01-26

The Impor-tance of Indepen-dence

Job Seeker: Jacob Flug

Meet Jacob, he’s interested in finding a daytime job that can supplement his evening weekend job with CMS (Crowd Management Services) where he is presently on call. Jacob enjoys working with CMS because he gets to get out among people and gets to be of service.

I recently accompanied Jacob on a janitorial job where he showed much initiative and thought as to how to improve his speed. He is a very thorough and conscientious worker. I was most impressed with his ability to work the CMS job one evening and then turn around and ride his bike in the pouring rain to provide janitorial services very early the next morning.

This young man in currently taking classes through the Community Living Program. Jacob also enjoys martial arts in which he has earned a black belt, volunteering at his church and taking care of his parakeets.

Jacob is interested in working as a stocker, dishwasher, busser, janitor or even learning how to cashier. If you would like to put him to work for your business, please contact his job developer; Lorie Polk at lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com

Inspiring Indiviuals

I came across these videos of some amazing people. I was again reminded that human beings can do amazing things when not limited by small ideas. I encourage you to watch each when you get a chance, I guarantee that you will be inspired, moved and/or humbled as I was.

Nick Vujicic[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&w=560&h=315]

Matthew Simpson[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ya67ZiVJtE&w=560&h=315]

Autistic Child Singer[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWTOgWWNIRk&w=560&h=315]

Kim Peek[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4eFPXvpgDs&w=560&h=315]

Carly Fleischmann[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNZVV4Ciccg&w=420&h=315]

Matthew Williams[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURbLmQL1BE&w=560&h=315]

Hotel Centered Around Workers With Special Needs, Opened

courtyard-hotel-to-open-in-muncie-indiana

At least a fifth of the employees at a Courtyard by Marriott hotel opening in Muncie, Ind. will be people with disabilities. The facility also includes the Erskine Green Training Institute serving as a teaching hotel for people with special needs to come to gain job skills. (The Arc of Indiana)

A first-of-its-kind, fully-functioning teaching hotel designed to provide job training and employment for people with disabilities is ready to open its doors.

The 150-room Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Ind. will open with a ribbon cutting on Dec. 22, 2015

From day one, at least 20 percent of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel’s 129-person workforce will be filled with people with developmental and other types of disabilities, according to Sally Morris with The Arc of Indiana.

Individuals with disabilities are already employed in all areas of the operation including at the front desk, in housekeeping and at the on-site bistro and restaurant, Morris said.

Beyond traditional hotel offerings, the $32 million project includes a training institute where those with disabilities will come from across Indiana for 9- to 13-week sessions to learn vocational skills related to the hospitality, food service and health care fields.

As part of the training, participants will intern at the hotel, restaurant or at a nearby hospital. The first class of trainees is slated to begin Jan. 11.

“We believe the training institute and teaching hotel will significantly change employment opportunities and post secondary education options for people with disabilities,” Morris said. “As others look at this model, and word spreads about the quality of the workers at the hotel, as well as the individuals who leave the institute and gain employment in their hometowns, we believe other businesses and industries will realize the value added of hiring people with disabilities.”

The 113,000-square-foot state funded facility, is attached to the local Muncie, Indiana, convention center.

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