engleski

Circle of friends – social inclusion intervention for children with disabilities

Creating a positive school environment that provide all student sense of acceptance and belonging, encourage friendship and mutual understanding is one of the key features of the inclusion quality. The study examined the effects of participation in the “Circle of friends” on quality of friendship, the size of social network, the level of empathy and the self-esteem of students with and without disabilities in inclusive classes. Sample consisted of 88 students of the third and fourth grade, of which 12 with disabilities. Circles of friends included 4 students with disabilities and 26 typical students. Social and emotional characteristics of students were evaluated with several well-validated and reliable assessments. Besides quantitative, the qualitative analysis was conducted based on focus groups, observations of interactions and circle of friends diagrams. Results of quantitative analyses show statistically significant improvement of quality and quantity of friendship, but no improvement in empathy and self-esteem in students who participated in the “Circle of friends”. The qualitative analyses show increase in the quality of friendship and in socializing in free time, but still lack of initiative and certain isolation of students with disability. Furthermore, the empathy of students with disability was perceived underdeveloped, as well as the self-esteem, but their typical peers better perceived feelings of students with disability and were more willing to help them. Based on the positive effects of the “Circle of friends” on friendship of students with disability in inclusive classes, this intervention could be regarded as good step forward better social inclusion.

social incusion, circle of friends

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