Draft 3:

Sarah McNeely

Dr. Angela Mitchell

UWRT 1104-040

November 2, 2017

Research Topic Rough Draft

Students are often found to hang out with others they have something in

common with. Characteristics leading to the group decisions include both social status

and basic communication skills. Those with special needs are assumed to have a lower

social status, which may lead to having fewer friends. The fact that they may have

fewer friends makes social integration abilities even more important. Social integration

must take the students characteristics into consideration. For example, some

characteristics of autism include communication deficits or delays, stereotypic

behaviors, or limited social relatedness. Keeping each of these in mind, it is easy to

study some major diagnostic areas as they have the same focus. Working on these areas

helps understand that students are more accepted when they are visible in the

classroom and able to take time to associate with their peers as friendships are a large

priority. These friendships are formed by the social network or peer group the student

belongs to. A large research study was performed on one hundred seventy-seven

students with results showing no difference in social preference, impact, or network

among those with and without special needs. These results lead to the belief that students
with Autism may be viewed by their peers as equivalent to other students. (Boutot, E.

Amanda.)

It is very important for both families and schools to have high expectations of

those who classify as special needs. Lower expectations may easily fail the child

academically as they may not be challenged or pushed to their full ability. Having high

expectations must go along with altering learning environments, such as providing

hands on experiences, so the child may be able to understand and learn the material

given to them. Refraining from doing so would not further the success or students in the

special education community in any way. (Graves, Judith Canty, and Carson Graves.)

A disability label is a medical and educational diagnosis that devalues those

labelled as human beings. Labels often involve stereotypes that lead to bias, changing

expectations and reactions of those around them. The most common effect of labelling is

the high functioning and low functioning labels. These both create expectations that

may or may not be possible to fulfill. With each of these, the language used is important.

It sets tones and reflects who we are as a society. Language also has a large impact on

self image, therefore the person should be put before the disability. (Davis, Kim.)

Labels are a large part of the current special education system. According to

federal law, students labelled with disabilities are able to receive special services. These

labels may be misinterpreted, however they are able to open doors to treatments and

resources, increase awareness and understanding of disabilities, give clear methods of

communication with teachers, provide comfort to both children and families, may
 explain the need, may be necessary aspects of special education, and should be used as

a tool to help children further their education. (Job, Jennifer.)

Works Cited

Boutot, E. Amanda. Social Integration of Students with Autism in Inclusive Settings.

Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, vol. 40, no. 1, 1 Mar. 2005, pp.

14-23. JSOTR, JSTOR.

Davis, Kim. :Whats in a Name: Our Only Label Should Be Our Name: Avoiding the

Stereotypes. IIDC - The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana

University, Indiana University Bloomington, 2004, www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/Whats-

in-a-Name-Our-Only-Label-Should-Be-Our-Name-Avoiding-the-Stereotypes.

Graves, Judith Canty, and Carson Graves. IDEA and Expectations Part I - The Problem of Low

Expectations. Parents Have The Power To Make Special Education Work, 1 Sept. 2017,

www.makespecialeducationwork.com/idea-expectations-part-problem-expectations/.

Job, Jennifer. Changing the Focus from Label to Need. Changing the Focus from Label to

Need, UNC School of Education, http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/7196.